"[4] Also a talented shot putter, Poe earned the Class 3-A title at the state meet with a throw of 56 ft 3+1⁄4 in (17.15 m) as a junior.

He was one of six Tigers to start all 12 games in 2010, and ended the year ranked fifth on the team in tackles with 41, and fourth in TFL with 6.5 (for a total loss of 27 yards).

Prior to his junior season, he drew attention for his weight room performance and was named one of the "10 strongest men in college football" by ESPN's Bruce Feldman.

He was selected second-team All-Conference USA, and was listed as an honorable mention All-America pick by Pro Football Weekly, which evaluates players on NFL prospects and draft value rather just college production.

[15] He concluded his college career having played in 35 contests (30 starts), recording 101 tackles (57 unassisted), 21.5 TFL, five sacks, four pass break-ups and four forced fumbles.

He showed some explosiveness, and forgive me for saying this, but I saw a little bit of myself in him.Entering the NFL Combine as a potential first rounder, Poe impressed with an "epic workout performance" according to ESPN's Todd McShay, who afterwards projected him to go as high as No.

[18][19] Poe particularly impressed with a 4.98 sec 40-yard dash, despite at 346 pounds (157 kg) being the fifth-heaviest defensive linemen to weigh in at the NFL Combine since 2000—behind only Terrence Cody, Ahmad Childress, Frank Okam, and Alameda Ta'amu.

According to Jonathan Bales of The New York Times, Poe was "the ultimate boom-or-bust prospect—loaded with potential, but failing to capitalize on it in college.

"[27] The Sporting News compared Poe to Ryan Sims and Jimmy Kennedy, two highly selected lineman who "were immensely talented yet struggled because of inconsistent effort and competitiveness".

[32] While acknowledging his lack of production in college, Bucky Brooks pointed out "Poe's blue-chip qualities (size, athleticism and strength) and the immense importance of the [nose tackle] position".

He was also the third defensive lineman Kansas City selected in the first round within five years, following Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson.

"[39] On the eve of training camp, July 26, 2012, Poe agreed to terms with the Chiefs, signing a four-year deal with a fifth-year team option.

[41] Competing with Anthony Toribio and Jerrell Powe for the starting nose tackle spot left void by Gregg, Poe disappointed in training camp.

[42] After spending the first three preseason games on the bench, Poe was moved into the starting lineup after Toribio injured his ankle.

During Week 11 against the San Diego Chargers, Poe became the heaviest player in NFL history to rush for a touchdown.

Poe scored his second rushing touchdown in as many attempts—this time actually receiving a lateral pass—in an October game against the Oakland Raiders in a play called "Hungry Pig Right"[49] where four players lined up in a diamond formation sending "over 1,100 pounds rushing toward the end zone.

"[50] In a December 25 game against the Denver Broncos in Week 16, Poe became the largest player in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass.

After being put in on offense, he lined up in the wildcat formation, took the direct snap, faked a run up the middle, then threw a touchdown pass to tight end Demetrius Harris while jumping in the air.

[51] In the post game press conference, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid called the play the "Bloated Tebow pass" referring to a play when Tim Tebow was the quarterback at Florida and he threw a touchdown pass while jumping after faking a quarterback sneak.

[62] He was expected to start alongside Gerald McCoy at defensive tackle until he was lost for the season with a quadriceps tear injury.

In the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, he became the first Cowboy to kneel during the national anthem since the start of the movement in 2016.

His defensive snaps began to decrease in Week 5, until being released on October 28, as part of a roster purge that included free agency acquisitions Everson Griffen and Daryl Worley.

[63] Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones, attributed the move to Poe's lackluster performance and being overweight.

[3] Peter Schrager of Fox Sports compared Poe's background to Michael Oher's, which has been the subject of the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.

[65] With a loan from his agent, Jimmy Sexton, Poe bought his mother a 2012 Cadillac Escalade for her birthday in January 2012.