Washington’s Benning Potoa’e in the first half of a Sept. 23, 2017, game in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington’s Benning Potoa’e in the first half of a Sept. 23, 2017, game in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Diet change has positive impact on Huskies linebacker Potoa’e

SEATTLE — Benning Potoa’e will not be swayed either by a Burger King or a Dairy Queen. Nor will his circle of friends include the likes of anyone named Arby’s, Carl’s Jr. or Wendy’s.

Potoa’e’s rapid fast food vendetta started with a wager he made with former University of Washington football teammate Will Dissly more than a week ago. Dissly wagered $100 that Potoa’e cannot hold out on eating fast food until Nov. 30, the day of the Pac-12 Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

“I asked him how he got in shape so well because he was where I was at. He said he made a bet with one of our other teammates that he wasn’t going to eat fast food for a year,” Potoa’e recalled after practice Friday. “He made the bet with me. I did the same. We made a list of foods I can’t eat.

“In terms of how hard it is? It’s pretty hard. I’m not going to lie to you.”

Take away pocketing an extra $100. Potoa’e’s reasoning goes beyond winning a bet. Washington’s redshirt junior outside linebacker has already lost around eight pounds, and he feels better about how his body is performing. It showed during Day 3 of spring camp when the 6-foot-3 and now-267-pound former Lakes star flew around the field during drills.

He had one sack and was close to getting another. Controlled setting or not, these are glimpses that the Huskies find so inviting when it comes to Potoa’e and the kind of player he can become. A former four-star recruit, he’s played in all 26 of UW’s games over the last two seasons.

Potoa’e went from 19 tackles and two tackles for loss in 2016 to gaining 27 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks last season as a starter. The change in diet, in his mind, is the start of a ripple effect — one that could lead to him being the latest menace for a Huskies’ defense that returns nine starters from what was the No. 8 unit in the nation.

“It definitely comes out in how I feel,” he said, “regardless of how I move or not. I feel good. I feel better. I feel lighter on my feet.”

Potoa’e came to UW in 2015 after coming off a senior year at Lakes when he finished with 19 sacks and 72 tackles.

The height. The size. The speed. Such promising attributes, once harnessed at the collegiate level, could benefit the Huskies even further.

It’s taken time for Potoa’e to put it all together. Especially if that means giving up fast food.

“I see Benning just growing up,” Huskies senior defensive lineman Jaylen Johnson said. “Every player comes in. They eat whatever they want. They want to have poor work habits. I think he’s just starting to mature into the player he can be. He’s seeing that translate onto the field.”

Senior linebacker Tevis Bartlett is becoming the touchstone for all things related to any member of the Huskies’ defense in the way he can describe his teammates.

Bartlett said Potoa’e is “one of the best guys you’ll meet for sure” on the entire team. He openly admits Potoa’e is faster and can jump higher while outweighing the 238-pound Bartlett by more than 25 pounds.

An Academic All-Pac-12 First Team selection, Bartlett surrenders Potoa’e has him beat in another important category.

“Of course he has better hair,” Bartlett said of Potoa’e’s long, curly black locks that have a thick blonde streak down the left side. “He has the best hair on the team. Are you kidding me? Especially now that (Ben Burr-Kirven) cut his. It’s not even a contest.”

Bartlett said Potoa’e’s athleticism is so great that he’s told him there’s times when an opposing player has no business getting past him.

What Bartlett has seen so far from Potoa’e is a consistently relentless approach during practice while emerging into a leader for the outside linebackers.

Seniors like Bartlett and Johnson along with proven yet hungry (just not for fast food) players like Potoa’e are why Washington is in the discussion for the College Football Playoff.

Potoa’e could play a role in UW reaching the CFP for the second time in three seasons. Getting there means having to reach and then presumably win the Pac-12 Championship Game.

From there, who knows what’s next? But if it helps, there is a Carl’s Jr. and a Taco Bell less than two miles away from Levi’s Stadium.

“I can’t cut corners,” he said. “Obviously, there’s a whole lot more I didn’t put on the list on purpose but I’m trying not to eat at those places as well.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.