Monte Pottebaum is from Larchwood, Iowa, where he was a multi-sport athlete for West Lyon High School. Monte excelled in football where he earned many honors including first-team all-state his senior year. Monte joined the Hawkeyes as a walk-on and quickly proved his worth as the starting full-back and on special teams as he earned a scholarship after his sophomore season. Monte was a leader for the Hawkeyes as he was one of twelve seniors named to the player council, four-year Academic All-Big Ten, and was the 2022 recipient of the Brent Greenwood award. Monte is looking to continue playing football by pursuing a career in the NFL.