Northern Illinois University Athletics

• Started 43 of NIU’s last 45 games at tackle over his last four seasons. 

2023
• Earned All-MAC honors from league coaches for the third time, including back-to-back first team honors in 2022 and 2023.
• An honorable mention All-American by Phil Steele.
• Also made the Phil Steele and PFF All-MAC first team.
• Led the way for a rushing offense ranked 36th in the country as NIU averaged 179.6 yards per game on the ground. 
• THe Huskies ranked 19th nationally in fewest sacks allowed, surrendering just 16 sacks in 13 games.
• Cleared holes for All-MAC running back Antario Brown who rushed for 1,296 yards and averaged 6.1 yards per carry.
• NIU backs posted six 100-yard rushing games, including a 280-yard performance by Brown at Akron. 
• Helped pave the way for the Huskies’ 380 rushing yards in win at Akron (10-7). 
• NIU had 506 yards of total offense at Central Michigan (10-31), second-highest total of the season.
• Offensive line dominated as NIU ran for 287 yards on 50 carries in win over Western Michigan (11-14) 
• Named to the Outland Trophy watch list.
• Qualified for the Academic All-MAC Team for the third time. 
• Served as one of the Huskies’ permanent team captain. 

2022
•    Awarded first team All-MAC honors by league coaches and by Phil Steele.
•    Honored as the team’s Offensive Player of the Year following the season. 
•    Played in 11 games with 10 starts at right tackle. 
•    Sat out the Ball State (10-1) game due to injury.  
•    Part of a Huskie offensive line that led the MAC and ranked 10th in the nation in fewest sacks allowed with 1.0 per game (12 total).
•    The Huskies rushed for 190.4 yards per game to rank 34th in the FBS.
•    Three different backs recorded 100-yard rushing games and gained 97 yards or more eight times on the year. 
•    NIU totaled 287 yards on 49 carries in the win at Eastern Michigan (10-15). 
•    Named one of the team’s 2022 permanent team captains. 
•    Earned Academic All-MAC honors. 

2021
•    A 14-game starter at right tackle and NIU’s top-rated lineman in 2021 according to Huskie coaches. 
•    First team All-MAC selection by Pro Football Network which named NIU as the league’s top offensive line. 
•    Earned second team All-MAC honors from league coaches and Pro Football Focus (PFF).  
•    Named to Phil Steele’s all-conference third team.
•    Led the way as four different Huskie backs surpassed 100 rushing yards a total of 13 times on the year. 
•    Offensive line powered NIU to a No. 4 FBS ranking in rushing offense as the Huskies averaged 241.4 yard/game.
•    NIU gave up just 10 sacks in 14 games to rank second in the country. 
•    The Huskies gained a season-high 335 rushing yards on 55 carries in the Cure Bowl game versus Coastal Carolina (12-17). 
•    Top offensive performance came at Kent State (11-3) when the Huskies gained a season-high 663 yards of total offense, including 532 yards passing by quarterback Rocky Lombardi. 
•    The Huskies gained 500 or more yards of total offense five times on the year. 
•    Member of the 2021 Academic All-MAC team.

2020
• Started all six games.
• Provided protection on Ross Bowers’ 300-yard passing game at Ball State (11-18), a season-best passing for NIU.
• Assisted the Huskie offense to average 365.7 yards of total offense per game.

2019
• Participated in all 12 games, playing primarily on special teams.
• Made his Huskie debut in the season opener versus Illinois State (8-31).

2018
• Redshirted and did not see any action.

HIGH SCHOOL
• First team all-conference selection as a senior and second team as a junior.
• Two-time second team All-Metro in 2016 and 2017.
• Named Offensive MVP as a senior by his team.
• Served as team captain.
• Washington won three consecutive conference titles his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons.
• Invited by Football University to the 2017 All-American Scouting Combine in San Antonio, Texas.
• As a junior, earned the team MVP award on the Warriors’ Basketball Team.

PERSONAL
• Born August 29 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
• Son of Julie and Mark Potter
• His father was a wrestler at Central College in Pella, Iowa
• Earned his undergraduate degree and is working on a master's in sport management.