Noah Potter has been tall as long as he can remember. “I was 6-foot-5 in eighth grade,” said Potter, a Mentor grad who spent the last five years playing defensive end for three college football programs. Potter definitely blossomed early, but by the time he graduated from Mentor he gained just a nother inch to his current height of 6-6. It was a blessing. That’s because Potter is taking his shot at a career in the NFL as a defensive end, where the ideal frame for the position is about 6-5, 260 pounds. Anything above 6-7, according to Potter, for a D-end can be problematic. https://twitter.com/mpodo/status/1904661061657124866 “It’s all about leverage, and when you’re too tall, it can be difficult,” said Potter, who struggled with that early in his college career at Ohio State. As for the ideal frame for NFL defensive ends, two of the top measure well. The Browns’ Myles Garrett is 6-4, 270 pounds, and the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby is 6-5, 255 pounds. Potter said he is 6-6, 265. “My agent said the No. 1 thing for you is your measurables,” said Potter. “My arm length (34 inches) is where it needs to be and my wing span.” His measurables will be made official March 26 when Potter participates in N.C. State’s pro day. Last year, Potter played D-end in every game for the Wolfpack and was in for about 400 snaps. He said his two best games last season were against Clemson and Tennessee, so he hopes tape from those contests go a long way toward his draft stock, which Potter is realistic about. He said it’s unlikely his name won’t get called during the draft, but Potter is confident about his chances signing with a team as a free agent following it. It was a similar path for Potter’s older brother Micah, who played college basketball at Ohio State and later Wisconsin as a transfer. The 6-foot-10 Micah went undrafted but spent time with the Heat and their D-League team and is currently with the Jazz, and is getting playing time in Utah. Micah has appeared in 33 games this season and is averaging 4.2 points. Noah Potter’s college football career was a bit of a whirlwind, with twists and turns along the way. He began at Ohio State — where he spent three seasons — then played for Coach Luke Fickell at Cincinnati before a final season down south as a grad transfer at N.C. State in 2024. There was also a scare during his final season in Columbus when it was revealed he had a detached retina in his right eye. Potter remembers several moments wondering the time and not being able to see the clock. “I went in thinking I’ll get some eye drops and then the doctor saying if you don’t have surgery you might lose your eye sight,” said Potter, who prepared for his pro day training at Tim Robertson’s Speed Strength facility in Chester Township. “My doctor said I was the youngest (patient) he’s ever had to have detached retina surgery.” Having suffered through a previous foot injury might have saved Potter’s eye sight. Said Potter: “I tried playing through that injury, and then I realized if something’s not feeling right, you have to tell someone.” After surgery on his right eye, it was revealed Potter, at age 20, also had a detached retina in his left eye. Only this time, it was discovered much earlier and was treated with a laser procedure. Now healthy, Potter is focused and excited about N.C. State’s pro day, where he hopes to impress with his 10-yard split times in the 40-yard dash, and in the 20-yard shuttle and three-cone drill. “It’s not going to be easy,” said Potter about his pathway into pro football. “I know I have the measurables and my film’s good when I played against top teams. I’m confident if I get a fair shot with a team, I’ll be able to perform. … To be in this position after all the stops and injuries, I’m pretty thankful for it.” ...read more read less