UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Trey Potts has been a part of a Penn State White Out before. A year ago, Potts returned to the Keystone State donning a Minnesota uniform and went toe-to-toe against Penn State in the 2022 White Out.
The Williamsport, Pennsylvania, product had five carries in the 45-17 Nittany Lions victory. Potts spent four seasons with the Golden Gophers and has amassed more than 1,200 career rushing yards. He decided to explore other options to conclude his college career following last season.
Potts entered the transfer portal with one special place in his heart. A young kid who spent many Saturdays in Happy Valley growing up as a Penn State fan will get to live out his childhood dream of playing in a Penn State White Out with the Nittany Lions.
"My mom is actually a Penn State grad and my grandfather, so I grew up coming to blue and white games, I grew up coming to Penn State games so it's been instilled in me," Potts said. "I had the opportunity in the portal and it was a no-brainer for me."
Just over 60 miles separates Potts' hometown to Happy Valley. Potts was a well-known commodity after a dominant tenure playing at Williamsport High School. Potts posted 3,490 rushing yards with 59 touchdowns during his time playing for the Millionaires.
Potts chose Minnesota out of high school and put his dream of playing in the blue and white on the back burner. Less than one year after playing on the opposing side, Potts will play in the White Out in front of his family and loved ones with everyone cheering for "the good team."
"It's a dream come true," Potts said. "I grew up a PA kid and this was my dream school to come to, so just running out of the tunnel, I get chills. I look back at my younger self and I'm like, 'I'm here' so it just feels good and I'm happy to be part of this program."
Potts is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and brings a plethora of Big Ten and bowl game experience to an already dynamic running back room. Potts has already instilled key lessons in the sophomore standout duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
Potts has thrived in his role and is using his veteran voice to help guide and teach the young running backs. Potts and the entire running back room have developed "a family" as Potts has found a home.
"It's a family," Potts said. "With Coach [Ja'Juan] Seider, it's all brothers and it's all family. We learn from each other, we coach each other so it just feels good to be a part of such a competitive and dominant room, and week-by-week I'm just playing my role and getting where I fit in."
Potts has provided Penn State with an instant spark off the bench and showed why Singleton called him a "workhorse" after the game against Delaware where the veteran ran for 59 yards and averaged 8.4 yards per carry.
Potts is a true jack-of-all-trades player who displayed his consistency and dependability with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Warren on the road against Illinois. "I'm one-for-one with a touchdown so I can't complain," Potts joked.
Sophomore quarterback Drew Allar has played with Potts for a short span but with a veteran voice in his ear, Allar is watching Potts' confidence grow and recognized how the redshirt is "more and more comfortable in our system," Allar said.
"Trey's a great teammate," Allar said. "I think he complements both Nick [Singleton] and Fatman [Kaytron Allen] really well. Obviously, we're very glad he's a part of our team. We need depth in all positions and he brings that to the running back room. Ever since he stepped on, in May, he's been a very hard worker, he's been handling his business on and off the field and it's just good to see him get out there."
