Defensive players Jerron Cage (86), Noah Potter (97) and Javontae Jean-Baptiste (8) stretch during the first practice of spring football for Ohio State University at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Ceb Osufb Spring 0308 Bjp 14 — © Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

A Closer Look at New Bearcats Defensive End Noah Potter

Potter is one of the highest-ranked transfers in program history.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Updated:
May 17, 2022 11:31 AM EDT

CINCINNATI — Ohio State transfer defensive end Noah Potter is getting ready for life as a Bearcat. The 2019 four-star recruit should be a versatile, final piece to UC's front-seven puzzle in 2022.

According to On3's consensus, Potter was the 298th-ranked player in 2019 and the 24th-ranked edge rusher. He joins a veteran starting defensive front trio, with Jabari Taylor and Malik Vann expected to start at either defensive end spot. Potter would've been the 11th-rated UC recruit in the 247Sports era out of Mentor (Ohio) in 2019.

Potter has to be hungry for increased playing time and opportunities after running into roadblocks throughout his time at Ohio State. He's been stuck behind incumbents since coming into the program or had to deal with freak injuries.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound mauler didn't play last season at all after experiencing problems with his peripheral vision. It ended up being a torn retina that required season-ending surgery. All of that after he nursed a foot injury back to health by October.

Flash forward to the Ohio State Spring Game last month, and we saw a healthy Potter display exactly what that frame was meant for. Potter posted six tackles and two sacks on the afternoon.

The performance proved he was back at full strength and ready to move up the depth chart. For one reason or another, that won't happen in Columbus. The Buckeyes run a defensive line group with 14-15 players available, and Potter got stuck in the morass.

Clifton brings a land of opportunity for Potter, especially with three seasons of eligibility remaining if he wants them all. It will be hard to unseat Jowon Briggs, Vann, and Taylor as starters immediately, but Potter should get 25-40 snaps a game if his size and talent translate from the short drive down I-71. Cincinnati's front-four is about nine players deep on the 2022 roster before Potter's commitment.

Potter is a top-flight athlete with a nice arsenal of pass rush moves and can create enough torque to sneak into run gaps. He showcased all of that with Mentor in 2017-18—leading to All-Ohio honors as a junior and senior. We'll quickly learn if his recruiting prowess can transfer over to a less crowded position group during fall camp.

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