In 2017, Nathan Cottrell saw himself become a regular for the Yellow Jackets offense after having just one carry in 2016. During the 2017 season, Cottrell got off to a big start with a rather impressive six-carry, 79-yard effort against Tennessee to start the season. The Knoxville, Tennessee native not only showed out against his hometown school but kept up the impressive play throughout most of the season.
Cottrell on the season ended up taking carries in nine of their 11-games and despite never reaching more than five carries for the rest of the season was able to produce when called upon.