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By Chris Masse
cmasse@sungazette.com
Adversity has knocked down Trey Potts multiple times. Each time, he has come back stronger and kept moving forward.
The road has been bumpy, but the former Williamsport all-state running back has stayed the course. And now that road has led Potts somewhere he considers quite special.
Home.
Potts announced earlier this week that he will transfer from Minnesota and play for Penn State this fall. He has two years or eligibility left, and is a key pickup for a team needing more backfield depth and focused on becoming a national title contender.
"I grew up going to Penn State games; going to the White Outs. It's going to be a different feeling coming out of that tunnel," Potts said. "As a young kid, if I'd imagine coming home to play for Blue and White I'd have been super excited. I dreamed of that opportunity, and get to live it now."
Fate has done its best to deny Potts this opportunity, but he never lets it. Following an all-state season in which he produced 2,034 yards and helped Williamsport capture a district championship, Potts tore his ACL the following summer and missed his junior season.
Potts relentlessly rehabbed and returned for his senior year, only to tear the ACL in his other knee halfway through a season in which he again was among District 4's leading rushers and scorers. Despite all that, Potts had shown the talent and determination and to play Division I football and headed to Minnesota.
Two years ago, Potts was enjoying an excellent season and had topped 100 yards in three straight games, as well as 100 total yards in four consecutive contests. He then suffered an unspecified injury against Purdue and missed the rest of the year.
Some thought Potts might be finished, but he again proved the doubters wrong, returning last season to run for 471 yards and three touchdowns. He closed his Minnesota run with 1,144 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
"That's one thing about me, and I've always hung my hat on that. No matter what is going on, I'm always going to bounce back," Potts said. "A lot of people that maybe have went through something like I went through or who maybe will in the future might not bounce back. I'm very adamant on that it's all going to work itself out, and I'm never going to stop until I accomplish my dream."
That dream includes trying to win a Big 10 and/or national championship. Bring in a player like Potts helps Penn State toward both goals.
Obviously, Potts brings a lot in terms of ability and experience, but his leadership also could provide an enormous boost. No matter how strong a team is, every season includes some ups and downs.
Potts has been through a lot and never let it demoralize him. Having someone who teammates can look to in similar situations never hurts a team focused on big goals.
"You have to go with the ebbs and flows, and having the experience of having football taken from me can help me relate to guys going through tough situations," Potts said. "Being able to handle the highs and lows, that goes a long way in life and in football."
Potts sure helps in the football department, too. Penn State features a dynamic backfield tandem in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Those two combined for 1,928 yards and 31 touchdowns last season, but Penn State's backfield depth was thin behind them.
Enter Potts.
Potts now provides Penn State another dangerous option and his versatility makes him an appealing weapon as well. He did not get a chance to show it often at Minnesota, but Potts is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and was lethal in that role while playing at Williamsport. He also has the speed to get outside but also the power to go between the tackles.
Potts is an excellent pass blocker, too, and now Penn State need not worry if Singleton and/or Allen miss time. Potts basically, can do a bit of everything. Just as important, Potts is excited to embrace his role and do whatever is asked.
"Anywhere you go in the Power 5, especially in the Big 10, there's going to be great backs. I'm a little older and established myself in the Big 10, so I know what I'm getting into as a player but also as a leader," Potts said. "Being able to just be like a Swiss Army Knife is something I think I can do for the team. I just want to use my characteristics and football play as best I can for the team."
A renaissance man in cleats, Potts is a three-time Academic All-Big 10 selection. He not only seems an ideal fit for the team's offensive plans but also the culture.
Both are reasons Penn State aggressively pursued Potts when he entered the transfer portal. Between Penn State's approach, their credentials and the excitement about playing an hour from Williamsport, Potts felt like this was a perfect fit.
"I had a lot of schools reach out, but a lot were inconsistent in their approaches. One thing that Penn State did was keep their foot on the gas and was very consistent," Potts said. "They were very transparent. They showed their want for me and my position. They just did a great job. It's hard to turn down being somewhere close to home, and playing for the Blue and White."
So many times, it appeared the road to college football and/or college football success was hitting a dead end. Each time, Potts steered things back on course. One can break Potts's football career into chapters and the book continues being written.
And Potts isn't about to let someone else or something else author his story. The most exciting chapter is yet unwritten.
"It's been a tough road but they say God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. That's kind of how it has played out," Potts said. "I'm very grateful for this opportunity and to play college football. That's what I dreamed about doing since I was a little kid and something I can always say I lived and did."