 "Photo: Karl Anderson")
Texas Tech running back Baron Batch is having some fun with quarterback Taylor Potts in the lobby of the practice facility, joking about betting money on a few rounds of bowling.
"When we were bowling," Batch asks, "where were you at?"
"I was trying to find you," Potts said. "I had to kill everybody in laser tag."
Batch talked him into five dollar games, and Potts obliged as if he had already won.
"OK," he said. "I've been practicing on the (Nintendo) Wii."
Since Batch is an accomplished bowler, Potts probably will lose - if the game ever happens - but for Batch's sake, he may want to let the strong-armed quarterback off with a win.
That way during warm ups, he won't smash Batch's hands on a short pass out near the sidelines.
Apparently, Potts tends to do that sometimes, which could be problematic during a game, but it's not his fault he was blessed with a bazooka for an arm.
"He always throws it too hard in warm-ups," Batch said. "He always jams my fingers. I'm just out there and he just guns it, but I guess he can throw it as hard as he wants. I'm the one who looks bad if I drop it."
Batch's teammates understand the situation, especially sophomore receiver Tramain Swindall, who said it is just part of getting "used to catching those fastballs."
"It'll tear your body up," Swindall said, with a chuckle.
Pass-catchers can expect a lot more of those throws from Potts now that quarterback Graham Harrell has moved on after playing his final collegiate game in the Cotton Bowl.
However, Potts will have to fend off a stable of quarterbacks comprised of Steven Sheffield, Stefan Loucks, Seth Doege and Garrett Riley.
When next season rolls around, Potts and Sheffield will be juniors, Loucks will be a sophomore, while Doege and Riley will be redshirt freshmen.
"I think it's his job right now. Going into the spring he's the quarterback," said Doege, who has the talent to make Potts work for the job. "I think the rest of us kind of have to go into the spring thinking of competing and getting better."
Potts, from Abilene, has backed up Harrell for the past two seasons and for the most part looked sharp this year after struggling to sustain drives in spring practices. With a strong arm and good size, the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder presents the most physically gifted and seasoned quarterback Leach has had at his disposal.
None of the hype gets to his head though.
Being the backup for two years and getting snaps with the first team could give any player the impression he is automatically next in line, but Potts knows what to expect.
"The job is gonna go to the best person," he said. "Coach isn't dumb. He's gonna play who deserves it and who is the better quarterback. He doesn't wanna settle for mediocrity or somebody that's not gonna perform what this team needs as a quarterback, to get us to 12 wins. I do have an edge, I've played, but at the same time, he's gonna play the best."
In appearances against SMU, UMass, Kansas State, Kansas and Oklahoma State this season, Potts finished 23-for-36 for 260 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
His best performance came against Oklahoma State on Nov. 8 when he went 5-for-5 for 60 yards and a touchdown during his only drive in the fourth quarter. After the game, Leach called it the "best drive" of Potts' career.
"I think I can throw harder than Graham, and then in some places that it's needed, a lot of times a touch pass, throwing the ball perfect right on the money, I can definitely do that," Potts said. "In some cases, a strong ball that will fit into a tight corner or a tight spot is really needed. I think I can do that, and I think my arm is strong enough to do those."
It will take some time for Potts to become as accurate or cerebral as Harrell, but he is on his way. Even though he stood on the sidelines for a majority of the season, Potts said he refined his approach to football, whether it be on the field, in the weight room, or watching game film.
"I think I've gotten better mentally," he said. "I've kind of relied on the past year or two to do physical things very well and mental things kind of came second. As I refocused this season, it was my mental preparation that really helped me out a whole lot. Understanding the game, why we run the play, why defenses do what they do."
An interesting side note, back in 2006, after Potts had already committed to Tech, he turned down a scholarship offer from Michigan while Lloyd Carr was still coaching the Wolverines. Looking back, Potts has no regrets about declining the full ride, especially since Rich Rodriguez took over and led Michigan to its worst season in history this year.
"I don't think I'd be there anymore because Rich Rodriguez kind of needs a fast, mobile quarterback; although I am fast and mobile," Potts said, tongue-in-cheek. "I don't think that would fit me very well."
Be the first to comment on this article!