Powlus was honored with several national prep player of the year awards, including Parade Magazine, Gatorade, and USA Today in 1992.
Succeeding Rick Mirer who had been drafted to the NFL and Kevin McDougal, Powlus was a two-time Irish captain for teams coached by Lou Holtz and Bob Davie who, before the ascent of Brady Quinn in 2005, held 20 school records.
Powlus was signed as an undrafted free agent in 1998 by the Tennessee Oilers of the National Football League but was released before the start of the season.
In the spring of 2000, he played for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe during their 10-game season, splitting time with Jim Kubiak at the quarterback position.
[4][5][6] Powlus finished his pro football career as a backup quarterback on the roster of the 2000 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) but did not throw a pass during the regular season.
[8] On March 1, 2005, Powlus returned to Notre Dame as the football team's director of personnel development under head coach Charlie Weis.