The NFL didn’t work out, but this football coach found big success with small players

Jameel Poteat’s journey began when he was a star high school running back for Bishop McDevitt with dreams of making it to the NFL, but unexpected challenges in college football forced him to redefine his path.

After struggling with setbacks and identity loss post-football, he found new purpose in real estate and giving back to his community.

Eventually, coaching his son’s youth football team in Susquehanna Township reignited his love for the game, proving that success isn’t just about reaching the pros; it’s about making an impact.

The beginning

Poteat first picked up a football when he was just 7 years old. What started as childhood fun quickly turned into something much greater.

By the time he reached high school, in 2007 Poteat had become one of the most electrifying high school football players in the country. His combination of speed and power at the running back position made him a unique prospect, attracting offers from more than 50 major Division I schools.

Poteat’s accolades spoke for themselves. He was selected All-State Class AAA by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers and named to the Pennsylvania Football News All-Class AAA team. As a senior, he rushed for 1,724 yards and 31 touchdowns, finishing his career at Bishop McDevitt as the school’s all-time leader with 84 touchdowns.

It seemed as though his dream of playing in the NFL was well within his grasp.

A change in plans

Initially, Poteat committed to the University of Pittsburgh, following in the footsteps of McDevitt alumni like LeSean McCoy and Aaron Berry.

“I chose Pittsburgh because LeSean McCoy went there, Aaron Berry went there, and I felt like it was a great pipeline from McDevitt to the NFL,” Poteat recalled.

However, just weeks before signing day, Pittsburgh’s head football coach Dave Wannstedt was fired. The unexpected change threw Poteat’s plans into turmoil.

At the last minute, he decided to commit to the University of Cincinnati instead. His arrival at Cincinnati was historic — he was the highest-ranked recruit to ever sign with the Bearcats. But with the transition came unforeseen challenges.

“It was the first time in my life that football was not easy for me,” Poteat admitted. “I couldn’t stay healthy, and it was just setback after setback.”

After two seasons at Cincinnati, Poteat transferred to Stony Brook University for one season before deciding to finish his college career at the University of Pittsburgh. This time, however, he wasn’t playing running back. He was switching positions to linebacker.

“I felt that at the time I had a better chance of making it to the NFL as a linebacker instead of a running back. I had the size, I had the speed and athleticism, and I knew I could tackle, so I took a chance and tried something new,” he said.

Life after football

Even with the position change, Poteat could not manage to stay healthy on the field. He suffered more than four concussions along with a broken foot during his college career.

After the 2015 season at Pitt, Poteat was done playing football for good. The game he had loved since childhood was no longer a part of his life, and the transition was anything but easy.

“Most college athletes put all their eggs in one basket to go pro, and I did the same thing. When I was done playing football, I didn’t know who I was. I felt lost, I felt homeless. I was so depressed — it was truly some of the darkest times in my life.”

Poteat needed a fresh start, something apart from football.

“I just decided to completely stay away from the game. I wanted nothing to do with football. The game I once loved so much as a kid — I wanted no part of it.”

Eventually, Poteat found a new passion: real estate. After working various jobs, he had discovered a career that gave him a renewed sense of purpose.

“I had to reinvent myself and find out what I liked and who I actually was outside of football, and real estate helped me do that.”

Poteat started as a real estate agent before launching his own real estate company. Within five years, he had built a million-dollar real estate portfolio while providing affordable housing to communities like the one he grew up in.

A return to the game

Despite Poteat’s initial reluctance, football eventually found its way back into his life, through his son, Elijah.

“This past year, my son Elijah asked me if I would coach his football team, and now that I’m finally in a better place mentally, financially and spiritually, I figured why not? I had already been an assistant coach for the past two years, but this year would be my first as a head coach.”

Before Poteat took over, Susquehanna Township’s Smurf team had won back-to-back Capital Football Association championships under former head coach Raekwon Purdy.

Poteat knew he had big shoes to fill, but he also knew he had the talent and football knowledge to continue the team’s winning tradition.

“I had been on the coaching staff the previous two years, so I knew most of the guys already. It was an easy transition for me to step into that role, and also easy for the players because they already knew me and my coaching style.”

Under Poteat’s leadership, the 2024 team had an undefeated season, culminating in another CFA Smurf Bowl Championship.

For Poteat it wasn’t just about continuing the winning tradition; it was about helping these young men build a bond and a brotherhood through the game he once loved so much.

“I never would’ve thought a group of 5- to 8-year-olds would renew my love for the game that has taught me so much, but they did. I will forever appreciate these kids for their hard work and dedication,” Poteat said.

“It reminded me of all the life lessons I learned from playing this game, and I am just glad I was able to pay it forward. Hopefully, one of them will go on to live the dreams I once had.”

Note: Anthony Smith III is the son of Anthony Smith Jr., PennLive’s video producer and author of this post. Anthony III is a Smurf football player for Susquehanna Township and is shown throughout this project.

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