Penn State RB Trey Potts looks to make an impact in a crowded backfield

The Penn State football running back room is heavy on star power for this upcoming season. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen head into their sophomore years poised to look even better than their freshman seasons. The duo combined for over 1900 yards and 22 touchdowns a year ago.

With two highly talked about workhorses, it is easy to forget about Penn State’s transfer running back. Trey Potts looks to finish up his collegiate career on a high note in Happy Valley.

A close-to-home connection

The senior Potts spent his first four years in Minnesota. His career as a Golden Gopher finished with nearly 1200 yards, 11 touchdowns, and a degree from the university. Potts was thrust into the primary back role during the 2021 season when the Gophers lost Mo Ibrahim for the season in the first game. Potts was then dealt his own season-ending injury after just four games as the starter.

This past spring Potts decided to look elsewhere. James Franklin and running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider heavily recruited Potts and won his commitment in the transfer portal. Going back to Pennsylvania close to where he grew up in Williamsport was very important to Potts.

He had aspirations while in high school of playing for the Penn State football team but two ACL injuries his junior and senior years led him down a different path. Now he gets to finish his collegiate career where he dreamed of playing originally.

Trey Potts adds much-needed depth to the backfield

With only two other scholarship running backs on the roster, incoming freshmen Cam Wallace and London Montgomery, the addition of Potts was much needed. Not only is he talented and a third guy to the rotation, but his experience and leadership can also help the younger guys.

Potts is now the older statesman of the running back room. On the field, his presence should be felt just by spelling Singleton and Allen. It is a long season and there will be bumps and bruises. Having a three-back rotation should keep the group fresher.

Also, it would be great to see Potts catch some out of the backfield. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich should scheme to have at least two if not a trio of backs on the field at the same time. It could cause some matchup problems for opposing defenses.

It is also possible Potts may find himself as a returner on special teams. Whatever his role will be this fall, Potts looks to embrace his homecoming and make an impact on a team looking to contend for big things this season.

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