Hard to believe, but there are under 80 days until the Broncos storm the Capital to take on the Hokies. As you may remember, last summer I embarked on the Herculean task of counting down a different roster spot for each remaining day until kickoff. So far this year, we're batting a thousand, so drop me notes of encouragement now and again so I can find the strength to get through the next couple months without breaking the streak.
We've got 73 days until kickoff...so today we'll be taking a look at number 73 on the Boise State roster—Nate Potter
#73, Nate Potter, Junior, OG
Stats
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 293 lbs.
High School: Timberline High School, Boise, ID
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Potter was a three-year starter at Boise's Timberline High, where he wasn't fond of allowing sacks. In fact, Potter allowed zero sacks as a senior and just two as a junior (in 286 pass attempts). Potter's size and mobility helped him become a dominant high school player locally, and he was recognized as all-region by Prep Star magazine and placed on the Northwest Hot 100 list. Potter also earned first-team all-state and All-SIC honors as a junior and senior at Timberline. Potter was also offered by Utah and Idaho, but chose the Broncos for obvious reasons (the Broncos are awesome). Nate grayshirted in 2006 and redshirted in 2007.
Nickname
"Colonel Potter" [kur-nl pot-er]
Sean King was already dubbed "Radar", so we just have to find a "Hawkeye" and "Trapper". Hopefully there are no "Klingers" on the team.
Look-a-like
Career highlights
As a freshman, blocked a field goal against Southern Miss. Named first-team All-WAC as a sophomore at left tackle. Helped Boise State O-line give up the fewest sacks in the country (5) in 2009.
Career lowlight
Injury prevented him from playing in 2009 season opener against Oregon and 2008 season opener against Idaho State.
2010 prospectus
Many wondered after Ryan Clady left Boise State, which player would step up and fill his substantial shoes. Potter, with his combination of size, speed, and athleticism, was the natural fit. After a rocky start where some wondered if he'd ever kick the injury bug, Potter came into his own as a freshman at left tackle and by mid-way through his sophomore campaign, was an All-WAC performer. Spring Camp brought more changes, however, for the mammoth tow-head—coach Chris Strausser moved him to guard. Now, why would you move an all-conference tackle who is on the Outland Trophy watch list to guard? Because you can. Potter possesses an ability not common to tackle-types—the ability to play low...and with a wealth of talent at tackle (Faraji Wright, Brenel Myers, Charles Leno), Strausser figured he'd give it a shot. After a succesful Spring at guard, it would appear that Potter is at guard to stay unless tackle depth or peformance becomes an issue, which it is unlikely to. Guard is a relatively thin position on the Boise State O-line (numbers-wise, not weight-wise) and Potter's only real backup is Matt Slater, so for the experiment to be deemed "successful", Potter will need to remain healthy all season. Potter's first big test comes on Labor day at FedEx field, where he'll need to protect Kellen Moore from a venerable Hokie onslaught and help pave the way for the Bronco backfield who'll want to set the tone early against Virginia Tech. Bronco Nation knows he's equal to the task.
Completely made up fact
Naturallly, Nate Potter is a huge Harry Potter fan. His right and left kneepads are nicknamed "Ron" and "Hermione"