Putter or driver, Potter uses all the clubs in his kicking game

Published June 6th, 5:38 EDT
by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – According to Spotrac, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell received a $1.3 million roster bonus in March. Pittsburgh was cementing their belief in Boswell after extending his previous contract last August where they made him a very lucrative contract with $12.5 million in guarantees.

That’s the situation for former Clemson kicker B.T. Potter, who went undrafted this past spring. His first NFL experience is kicking behind a guy who signed a contract that rivals Baltimore Ravens Justin Tucker’s claim as the highest paid kickers in NFL history, almost a year ago.

“We’ve gotten to kick together some out there,” Potter said about his time with Boswell during OTA practices. “I get to watch him and it’s really cool to see how he warms up. Watch his preparation and how he strikes the ball.”

With adolescent looks, Potter could play the part of a high school kicker with his boyish looks even though he is 23 years of age. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, his frame amongst his teammates makes him look dwarfed in comparison, but make no mistake, he is no joke.

While he ranks at the bottom of the barrel in the life of an undrafted rookie in the NFL, Potter left Clemson as one of the most prolific kickers in the school’s history. Potter holds school career records for field goals (73), PATs (234), points by a placekicker (453). From 2018-22, Potter joined three other Tigers’ alumni with 69 career games played and two others for the most consecutive games played (69).

Making it in the NFL as an undrafted player bolds well for kickers. Last season, 17 undrafted kickers led their teams in kicking. The outside possibility to kick for Pittsburgh remains pliable if Boswell gets hurt but for Potter his final destination is likely elsewhere.

“Just come in here every day and do my job,” Potter says about being in Pittsburgh. “Just have a good time and learn from somebody like (Chris) Boswell who has been around the league for a long time. He has had a great career, so it’s been awesome to just honestly be here and get to kick around somebody as good as he is.”

Kicking in the NFL is the one position where the incumbent is nearly a lock to remain the starter, but somehow and some way undrafted kickers find employment with another team that did not necessarily give the player their first shot in the league.

That appears to be the case for Potter. With Boswell all but guaranteed to be the guy in Pittsburgh the next couple years, his best options for remaining in the league will be with another team. Making the most out of his time with the Steelers. Putting everything through the uprights, while being coachable and accountable.

“Having a process, you can rely on,” Potter mentions as one of his keys to success. “It’s tough because there are always big moments, but something I always tell myself is a quote I saw one time. When you get into high pressure situations you always rely on your habits.”

Potter made it a habit of kicking for one of the most successful teams in college football. A three-time All-ACC Academic Team selection over the course of his Tigers career validates his habit both on and off the field. It’s where he built the habit of making ‘habits’ part of his repertoire.

He mentioned he wants his kicking ability to mirror that of a top golfer. Every club in the bag is one he wants to use and use well. Consistency in his kicks just as if it was his golfing motion. Putting it with success. Chipping on to the green without an issue and using his driver when needed.

In his final season at Clemson and one game in particular, Potter displays the fill arsenal of his golf bag, finishing 3-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-4 on PATs at No. 21 Wake Forest, including a career-long-tying 52-yarder late in the fourth quarter of the double-overtime win.

Consistency with power makes perfect in the world of kicking in the National Football League.