Zach Potter, DE

Potter is yet another solid, if not spectacular, defensive lineman from Nebraska. He stepped in well for NFL first-round pick Adam Carriker, twice being named honorable mention All-Big 12. As a senior he made 47 tackles, 16 for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and seven pass breakups. His five career blocked kicks will make NFL special teams coaches take notice.

Positives: Tall with adequate size throughout his frame, could still add 15-20 mass in the upper body without slowing him down. … Versatile end who plays both sides of the line for the Huskers. … Pushes back left tackles at times and can beat right tackles in pass situations. … Has the height and length to affect passing lanes. … Smart player who recognizes screens and misdirection. … Asked to drop in zone blitzes and cover backs in the flat. … Hustles down the line to track down ballcarriers running away from him. … Can spin in either direction to get off blockers and make a play.

Negatives: A "tweener" in 4-3 schemes and might be best as 3-4 end. … Inconsistent explosiveness out of his stance and has average straight-line speed. … Inconsistent getting off blocks using his upper body, at times looking strong and others getting stuck. … Lacks a great punch, doesn't use his size to handle tight ends on the line as he should. … Shows patience at the line but lacks quickness to make the play. … Knocks down passes often because he can't get through his man to the quarterback. … Often dives at the feet of ballcarriers, with mixed results, because he can't catch up to them.

Potter started all 12 games at defensive end, and had 43 total tackles, including 13 solo stops. His 14 tackles for loss set opponents back 50 yards and his 5.5 sacks for 44 yards tied Suh for the team lead. Potter's 3.6 tackles per game ranked among the top 15 defensive linemen in the Big 12 and Potter's tackle for loss total also ranked among the top 15 in the conference.

Honorable Mention All--Big 12. Potter quickly showed his ability to handle a starting role in 2007 and played in all 12 games with 11 starts at base end. Potter finished with 45 tackles, the most among defensive linemen, while his 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks were second on the team. His play earned Potter honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors from the conference coaches. Potter had five games with five or more tackles in 2007, including a career-high six against both USC and Oklahoma State. Potter had five tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in NU's win at Wake Forest. Despite not starting because of an injury ankle, Potter closed non-league play with a strong showing against Ball State, finishing with four tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble caused and a pair of hurries. He had at least five tackles in a three-game stretch capped by a six-tackle effort against OSU when he also had a pass breakup. Potter added four tackles, a tackle for loss and his first career interception at Texas.

Potter made three tackles while serving as the top reserve at base end. He had one stop each against Nicholls State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. Potter was also a regular on both NU's field goal/PAT and field goal/PAT block units.

Potter saw limited action on the defensive line and had a tackle against Wake Forest. He was a major contributor on special teams, and literally had a hand in a pair of victories. He blocked a field goal in NU's 7-6 win over Pittsburgh in the third game of the year, before blocking a Kansas State PAT in NU's 27-25 win over the Wildcats. As a team, Nebraska blocked seven kicks on the season.

Potter had a standout prep career at Creighton Prep, where he helped the Junior Jays to the Class A state title as a senior. Potter was a two-way standout, starring at both tight end and defensive end for coach Tom Jaworski. In helping the Junior Jays to a 12-1 record in 2004, Potter was the honorary captain of both the Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska offense and the Lincoln Journal Star Super-State defense. Potter made 97 tackles, including 48 solo stops and six sacks. Offensively, he caught 24 passes for 501 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Potter also produced outstanding numbers as a junior, catching 14 passes for better than 300 yards, including four touchdowns. He made 61 tackles, with 10 sacks and 11 pass breakups at the line of scrimmage. His performance as a junior earned Potter first-team all-state honors. Rivals.com ranked Potter as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Nebraska and the sixth-best strongside defensive end recruit in the nation.

Potter also starred in basketball where he averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds per game as a center. He led the Junior Jays to the Class A state title game and was a first-team all-state selection by both of the state's major newspapers. His all-around athletic performance earned him co-Boys High School Athlete-of-the-Year honors from the Lincoln Journal Star.

Potter is the son of Dave Potter and Karen Sanden, and his stepmother is Lynne Potter. Zach was born on May 4, 1986, and he is a three-time Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll pick. Potter has volunteered his time as a speaker during the Fall Break Tour of Excellence, American Education Week and School is Cool Week, as well as with the Attention Center for Youth.