Shawn Powell is an upbeat, out-going guy, and there always seems to be at least a hint of excitement in his voice.

On Tuesday afternoon, he sounded even more fired up than normal. And understandably so.

Earlier in the day, he had experienced perhaps the most surreal moment of his life — one that he is certain never to forget.

Powell, the former multi-sport star at Darlington and All-American punter at Florida State, officially became an NFL player on Tuesday morning when he signed a three-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Powell is expected to make his NFL debut this Sunday, when the Bills host the Patriots.

“I am just trying to get the world to slow down right now,” said Powell with a laugh when reached by phone by the RN-T just hours after the signing.

the deal.

Powell said the Bills contacted him on Monday afternoon and informed him that they wanted to fly him to Buffalo for a workout in front of team officials.

Less than 24 hours later, he was in Buffalo, doing what he does best: Punting the football.

Needless to say, the Bills were impressed with what they saw.

After the workout, Powell said he was told by the Buffalo officials to “go ahead and call your agent, and tell him that you’ll be here (in Buffalo).”

The Bills released veteran punter Brian Moorman on Tuesday, which opened up the roster space for Powell.

“The upside is really good on this guy (Powell),” said Bills general manager Buddy Nix at a press conference on Tuesday. “He is a big man, and he’s got a very strong leg and tremendous hang time.”

“In fact, we even considered drafting him late last year,” added Nix. “It goes back to trying to upgrade at the position and looking down the road.”

Powell signed with the Bills as a non-drafted free agent, and spent the preseason with the team, seeing action in all four games. He averaged 45 yards per punt with a long of 55 yards.

But he was cut just before the season started when the Bills made their final personnel moves and trimmed the roster to 53 players.

Powell then returned to Rome, and has been working out on his own at various venues around Rome with hopes of hearing from an NFL team — be it the Bills or another club.

“I have just been hoping that everything would fall into place,” said Powell. “Now, I just want to go out and keep doing the things that got me here.”

Powell said he was told that he will be the starting punter in Sunday’s game, when the Bills host the Patriots.

He becomes the second player from the local area to earn a starting role as an NFL punter. Former Coosa High standout Chris Jones has been the Cowboys’ starting punter in the first three weeks of the season.

Powell said he knows there will be some pressure on his him as he steps into the role formerly held by Moorman, a 12-year NFL player.

However, Powell said he is not going to let the circumstances intimidate him.

“They (the Bills’ team officials) told me not to go out there and try to fill his (Moorman’s) shoes,” said Powell. “They told me just to go out there and focus on doing the things that got me here.”

Powell said his hands might be a little shaky come Sunday — but he think his foot will be steady.

“There will be some butterflies,” said Powell, “and this is a new experience. But I plan to hit it with a full head of steam. I just want to relax and just know my ability will take over.”