Potter set for first PSU game

Penn State will host Mentor, Ohio, defensive end Noah Potter Saturday for its whiteout game against Michigan.

Just two weeks ago, Potter received the news that he’d been waiting months to hear, as Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin verbally offered the 6-foot-5, 247 pound strong-side end.

“It really started back during junior day in February. That’s when Coach Franklin and the staff let me know that they were excited about me,” Potter said. “From there, I talked to Coach Villagrana a few times and he was hinting that they would have good news for me in the spring. So, that really brought up my interest in Penn State. I knew they were coming off a good year and all of that, but I didn’t know much more, at the time.

“I came back in the spring then for the spring game and that’s when they let me know that they wanted me to come to camp. So, I came to that camp then and that’s when Coach Spencer was explaining that I remind him a lot of Carl Nassib. He said at the time that he really wanted to offer me, but that the entire coaching staff had to be on board. I believe Coach Pry just wanted to see me take my camp performance and translate it to my games.

“So, yeah, they got in touch with me a few weeks ago after watching the first few games of my film and the rest is history. I was really excited to get that offer. Penn State is a big-time program.”

Saturday night’s visit for the Michigan game will be Potter’s fourth to Penn State. The previous three trips gave him a good feel for what the coaching staff and football program are all about, but there’s still more for him to learn.

“Well, their coaches made me feel like family right from that first visit,” he said. “That was always something that stood out to me. They really do a good job at making you feel welcomed. Also, their locker room is probably the coolest locker room I’ve seen so far, at any school. I also have a pretty good relationship with their strength coach, Coach Galt. He and my dad talked for a good amount during a previous trip. That kind of goes along with the whole family thing.

“I’ve been able to see most of the facilities and the campus already, so now, I’m looking forward to seeing some of the town more. That’s one thing I know is pretty nice, but yet I still need to see more. They want us to come early this week, so that’s one thing I’m really looking forward to seeing more this time. I also haven’t been to a game yet, so I want to see the whiteout and all of that. This is a big game for them, so I should get to take in that whole experience.”

While at camp this past summer, Potter got a first-hand feel for Sean Spencer and what he’s like as a coach. That, too, is expected to help the Nittany Lions.

“Coach Spencer is definitely a guy I could play for. I really like him,” Potter said. “We’ve been able to build a really good relationship. At the camp, he taught me a lot of stuff that I’m using this season. He was a great teacher. Hopefully, we can only build on our relationship more this weekend and beyond.”

In addition to the Lions, Potter holds early offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Minnesota, North Carolina and N.C. State, among others. To this point, there haven’t been many schools that have shown the love that Penn State has.

“Right now, Penn State is probably the school pushing the most, but I’m also really interested in North Carolina State. My uncle is from there, so I’m familiar with the area. I have kind of been a fans of theirs ever since I was a kid. Also, at Minnesota, Coach Fleck has been reaching out to me a lot. He’s been recruiting me really hard, so we’ve built a good relationship already.

“Out of the schools that haven’t offered yet, Ohio State is probably the biggest school that hasn’t offered, yet is really pushing for me.”

Through eight games this season, Potter has helped lead Mentor to a 7-1 record. He’s recorded 9.5 sacks on the season. Below are his highlights from the game against Strongsville last month.