Meet Penn State running back Trey Potts, who is ready to embrace his role with his new team

STATE COLLEGE — It might seem odd for a veteran Big Ten running back to pick one of the conference’s best running back rooms as his transfer destination. To former Minnesota back and Pa., native Trey Potts, however, it made all the sense in the world to return to the Keystone State for what will likely be his last college football season to play for Penn State.

The Pottsville native has changed his body some since arriving in State College. He was 210 pounds in Minneapolis and is now a more defined 218. Otherwise, he’s the same quiet, unassuming guy that he’s been since his playing days. Competition does not concern him. Neither does a new apartment, jersey number, and role in a running backs room. He wanted to come home to chase his dream of playing for a national title and do whatever he can to help Penn State. Having the ultra-talented Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen in front of him doesn’t change that.

“I have a great support system back home and it took a lot of personal reflection and, you know, talking to the parents and everything, and I felt like my time was up in Minnesota and I kind of wanted a fresh start,” Potts said. “Coach Franklin, Coach Seider, and Penn State give me the opportunity to come home and play in front of Pennsylvania, my home state, and my family, and things like that. It was a great choice for me. I felt right I made that decision.”

Penn State pitch was key in Potts’ decison

Potts carried 100-plus times in each of the past two seasons. He is unlikely to hit that mark at Penn State in 2023, barring an injury elsewhere. But, that doesn’t matter. Opportunity to do something greater than any individual stat does.

“As a program, we embrace competition,” Potts said. “I haven’t ran from competition my whole life. And like I said, being from a Pottsville in Pennsylvania and being able to play for my home state team, and having the chance to go out and do big things with this team, was a great pitch.

“They talked to me about just finding my unique role on this team. I just want to be able to help out the team any way I can and just fit in and just do my best.”

It’s an approach that is appreciated by Seider.

“You got a guy with experience, a guy has played in this conference,” Seider said. “He’s an older guy, so he knows how to prep, and knows how to take a younger room and help me develop there. But to me, I respect the guy who wasn’t afraid of competition. Who bet on himself, who loved the state of Pennsylvania, a home grown kid, and to come in this room with what we got says a lot about this kids.

“He wasn’t promised nothing. I said you realize what’s in the room. You saw the plays. So are you sure? And he said, Yeah, Coach. I want to be part of it. I want to be at a place where we have a chance to win.”

Potts has that now. Penn State does too. Which is why it worked for both sides and will continue to moving forward.

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