Two years ago, South Dakota fullback Drew Potter caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in his second collegiate game to give the Coyotes a 7-0 lead against the Kansas Jayhawks, a team he and his family grew up cheering for. Today, he's back in his home state taking on a team he grew up rooting against – the Kansas State Wildcats.
Potter, who grew up less than two hours from Manhattan in Basehor, Kan., has played in all 24 games since he arrived to Vermillion in the summer of 2013. He carried eight times for 103 yards in last year's final game. His 53-yard scamper in that contest was the Coyotes' longest play from scrimmage all season.
Potter is the 2014 recipient of the Tim Mojzik Bulldog Award, chosen annually by the members of the Coyote football team to honor the person best exemplifying the attributes of tenacity, courage, endurance and fortitude. Perhaps Potter was chosen for throwing his body at linebackers all season. More than likely, it was for the support he provides his family.
Potter's parents, Phil and Leah, both attended Washington High School in the Kansas City, Kan., area. Phil owns a barbershop. Leah is a retired nurse.
Leah drove Drew to and from practices throughout grade school and into junior high. Sometimes it was two practices on the same night when Drew played on two teams. But life threw the Potter's a curve during one particular ride to get cleats for football season.
"The sun was setting when my mom told me and my younger brother, Ryan, that everything was getting foggy and she was having trouble seeing," said Potter. "We were driving on the highway trying to figure out what was going on. Fortunately, she got us home safe."
Leah's vision gradually deteriorated during the next six months. She kept going to the same doctors, but to no avail. When the Potter's finally found the right doctor, the diagnosis was pseudotumor cerebri – a false brain tumor and a disorder most common in women between the ages of 20 and 50. After surgery, Leah had lost 90 percent of her vision.
"She sees faint objects, but doesn't have any depth perception," said Potter. "She can't read or drive. She had to retire from nursing.
"I had to be her eyes, drive her to appointments, run errands, go to the grocery store, and do whatever she needed to help around the house."
Fortunately there is football. Potter played running back and defensive line at Basehor-Linwood High School. He also played baseball and was a competitive power lifter.
"Mom loves football," said Potter. "She especially loves the DakotaDome because she can sit right on top of the field. They always sit around the third or fourth row and Dad provides play by play."
It was Phil's barber business that helped Drew get to USD. Jay Burns, a senior tight end for the Coyotes in 2012, was a regular customer. Phil handed Burns a highlight tape of Drew and Burns gave it to the Coyote coaching staff.
"(Former Coyote assistant) Kelton Copeland came to my school and that started the process," said Potter. "He said there was a good chance I could play as a true freshman. I came to campus in June, started working out to get my body right, and with one week left in camp the coaches said I was going to play. I was excited."
Potter played about 10 snaps in the 2013 opener, a 10-7 home win against UC Davis. The following week, he was in the end zone scoring a touchdown against the Jayhawks.
"I had about 20-30 friends and relatives at that game and a lot of them were in the Kansas student section," said Potter. "They all cheered when I scored, but everyone was looking at them like they were crazy."
Potter is on pace to graduate in four years and hopes to coach at the high school or college level. Right after finals week this past May, he returned home to help Leah, who had just had surgery on her eye muscles to get them readjusted. He also umpired some baseball games to make a little extra money.
More family and friends will be in attendance today at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. It's the season opener for both teams. Kickoff is 6:10 p.m.
