Portland State football gets its earliest start ever when it opens the 2017 practice schedule on Monday, July 31, at Stott Community Field on the PSU campus. The early start is necessitated by the earliest game in program history as the Vikings open the season on Aug. 26 at BYU on a game televised by ESPN.
     
Head Coach Bruce Barnum returns for his third season and welcomes back 40 letterwinners and 14 starters (6 o, 7 d, 1 st). After a breakthrough 2015 season (9-3, NCAA playoffs), the Vikings regressed in 2016 (3-8) with a hard-luck campaign featuring too many injuries and late-game losses. Portland State seeks a bounce-back effort in 2017.
 
PRESEASON PRACTICE SCHEDULE
The Vikings will open practice on July 31 with an evening workout at Stott Community Field. The early start to the practice schedule was necessitated by the earliest start to a season in Portland State history. The Vikings will play BYU on Aug. 26 in Provo, UT in a nationally-televised game on ESPN. The previous earliest game date for a Viking season was Aug. 29, 2013.
     
Following that first practice, PSU will have a standardized schedule throughout fall camp, with practices from 8-10 a.m. daily. Scrimmages will on occur on Aug. 9 and 16 - both of which are Wednesday mornings - during the regular practice time.
     
All practices are open to the media and the public.
 
PRESEASON PRACTICE SCHEDULE
July 31, 5-7 p.m.
Aug. 1-5, 8-10 a.m.
Aug. 7-12, 8-10 a.m. (scrimmage Aug. 9)
Aug. 14-19, 8-10 a.m. (scrimmage Aug. 16)
Aug. 21-24, 8-10 a.m.
Aug. 25, Travel Day
Aug. 26, Game at BYU

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WEDNESDAY ON GOVIKS.COM: 2017 Offensive Preview
COMING FRIDAY TO GOVIKS.COM: 2017 Viking Football News And Notes
COMPLETE PRESEASON NOTES IN PDF

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VIKING SEASON PREVIEW
Portland State's 2017 season success will hinge on the answers to some key questions entering the season. Included are:
 
• Who will step forward in the open competition at quarterback and running back?
• Can a youthful defense, with a year's experience, revert to its prowess of 2015?
• After an injury-filled 2016, are the Vikings healthy with depth restored?
 
A lively spring practice session got the Vikings a lot closer to those answers, but fall camp will provide the final clues.
     
The Vikings figure to be as strong as ever on the offensive line, while a veteran wide receiver group appeared to be restored to health and bolstered with some key additions. The defense is maturing up front with a number of sophomores who gained experience as true freshmen, while the defensive backfield has a lot of experience with six seniors spread across four positions.
     
Head Coach Bruce Barnum's staff has worked hard in the off-season to prepare the team for a bounce-back performance in 2017.
     
"We were competing more throughout the winter - player to player, position to position, offense to defense and against the clock. We don't want to lose four or five games again in the last drive of the game. It's a game of inches and we tried to give them that inch with our workouts," said Barnum.
     
Here is a quick look at the Vikings' defense and special teams, position-by-position:
 
DEFENSIVE LINE
Time is on the Vikings' side when it comes to defensive line play. No less than four players saw action on the defensive line as true freshmen in 2016. Those four, now sophomores, should play a big role in 2017 and beyond.
     
Though Barnum did not like playing so many, so young, so early, there is an upside.
 
"You will see the benefit this year, and especially next year. They have experience and now they have been in the weight room for a year," said Barnum.
     
The most prominent of those returning is sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Del Toro (6-2, 295) who started all 11 games last season. Del Toro also led all defensive linemen with 33 tackles. He had 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble as well, and was named to the FCS All-Freshman Team by Hero Sports. Del Toro, a 2017 preseason All-Big Sky Conference choice, should be a fixture up front and key run-stopper for seasons to come.
     
Also back at defensive tackle are senior Will Dawson (6-4, 300), who has 28 games of experience in his career, and junior John Jackson (6-2, 285). Sophomore Sione Taumoe'anga (6-2, 315) joined the team late, but played in six games. He should contend to be a starter up front over the next three seasons. Semise Kofe (6-0, 295) is a wild card at defensive tackle, having just returned from a two-year mission. Barnum is high on Kofe's ability to contribute right away.
     
Senior Davond Dade (6-3, 260) is the most experienced lineman on the roster. Named second team All-Big Sky Conference as a sophomore, the Viking coaching staff will look for Dade to up his play as a senior. Dade is an athletic player who has 60 tackles, 7.5 sacks, an interception, fumble recovery and blocked kick in his career.
     
"I like the experience coming back but they are still young, so there will be some growing pains. For us to be what we want to be on defense, Davond Dade has to be an every down guy for us," Barnum said.
     
Junior Dallas House (6-2, 265) finally had a healthy season and produced for the Vikings in 2016 when he made four starts. He has the versatility to play with his hand on the ground or coming off the edge.
     
Two others who saw action as true freshmen were Kenton Bartlett (6-3, 255) and Mason Vega (6-3, 230). Bartlett has a high upside and, along with House, will challenge to start at defensive end. Vega appeared to be the leading candidate at one defensive end spot but suffered a knee injury during spring drills and is likely to miss 2017.
     
Redshirt freshmen Noah Yunker (6-4, 245) and Cody Brown (6-3, 225) and redshirt junior Larry Ross (6-3, 230) add to the depth at defensive end. True freshmen Jake Porter (6-4, 245) and Boogie Davis (6-3, 230) add more youthful talent on the defensive line.
 
LINEBACKER
Portland State has a young linebacker corps and will need to identify contributors and starters for the coming season.
     
After spending two seasons coming back from a broken leg, junior Sam Bodine (6-2, 230) stepped in at outside linebacker for the Vikings in 2016. He had six starts and played in all 11 games, ranking third on the team with 58 tackles. Bodine has excellent size and should have two seasons as a key player ahead of him.
     
A player expected to be in the competition at middle linebacker is junior college transfer Kasun Jackett (6-2, 225). A letter of intent signee in February, Jackett completed two seasons at Chaffey College and competed in spring football with the Vikings. Grayshirt freshman Dylan Hanley (6-2, 225) is likely to be on the two-deep with Jackett at that position. Hanley signed with the program in 2016 and joined the team during winter term.
     
Another new player in the linebacker conversation is redshirt freshman Steffen Jacobsen (6-2, 210). An outstanding talent, Jacobsen will be looked at on the strong side and join the two-deep with Bodine.
     
"Jackett, Dylan Hanley, Jacobsen - they are all fast and as a group we are faster and bigger at linebacker this year. Our speed, tenacity and increased athleticism will make a difference," said Barnum.
     
Senior Taylor Biaggi (6-2, 200) is another fast, athletic player who appears to have found his role at weak-side linebacker. He is a versatile player who can also compete at safety. Junior Nate Salu (5-11, 215) returns to add depth at the position.
     
Portland State signed true freshmen Nicholas Ah Sam (6-0, 205) and Markus Sullivan (6-4, 230) to national letters of intent in February.
 
CORNERBACK
Depth should not be an issue at cornerback in 2017.
     
Starting cornerback Chris Seisay (6-1, 190) is back and should hold down one of the starting roles. A senior, Seisay had 28 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions in seven starts after transferring in from Oregon.
     
A top candidate to start on the other side is senior Ryan Wood (6-2, 195). Wood played safety in 2016 but is expected to move over to cornerback. Beside him, there is no shortage of players with experience. They include senior Malik Cyphers (5-10, 175), junior Artuz Manning (5-11, 185) and sophomore Montre Brown (6-1, 185). Brown brings depth at cornerback and should have a good future at the position. Manning and Cyphers competed at safety during spring football but could play at either position.
     
Transfer Maxwell Howell (6-1, 190), who moved over from Ohio University after spring football is expected to provide competition at cornerback as well.
     
Another cornerback who got a lot of reps in the spring was senior Donovan Olumba (6-2, 195).

True freshmen Anthony Adams (6-0, 175), Jerin Appling (6-2, 190) and Jared Reed (6-0, 175) were all high school stars in the state of Oregon that signed with the Vikings in 2017.
 
SAFETY
A pair of seniors will anchor the free safety position. Beau Duronslet (5-11, 200) is the most experienced player on defense and had to move from nickelback to safety in 2016 due to injuries. He led the team with 73 tackles and has 185 in his career.
     
Also there is Tyler Foreman (6-1, 195). He started every game at safety in 2016 and ranked second on the team with 60 tackles. Foreman had two interceptions and five pass breakups.
     
Artuz Manning (5-11, 185) had nine starts in 2016, though eight of those were at nickelback. He played primarily at strong safety during the spring and may start there. Malik Cyphers (5-10, 175) also competed at safety but is versatile enough to play at corner as well.
     
"Safety would be our most experienced group on the field, which would be a good thing, because they make all the calls and adjustments," said Barnum.
     
Junior college transfer Braxton Winterton (6-3, 215) adds size and experience as well. He will contend to play right away at safety.
     
Redshirt freshmen Avery Jones (6-3, 200) will get a chance to shine in 2017. Because of PSU's four seniors in the safety position group, his development will be vital to the defensive unit's future.
     
Freshmen Robert Holt (6-2, 200) and Ryan Swanson (6-0, 190) were signed in national letter of intent day.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
Portland State coaches will need to identify two key special teams players in 2017. Both kicker Jonathan Gonzales and punter Marcus Kinsella have graduated after having three strong seasons.
     
True freshman Noah Brosio (6-0, 185) was part of the Vikings' 2017 signing class. He is a combo kicker/punter with a good resume. Two redshirt freshman kickers will got a look from Special Teams Coordinator Nick Whitworth as well. They are Graycen Kennedy (6-2, 180) and Thomas Ciobanasiu (6-0, 165).
     
Ben Niesner (5-11, 170), a top punting prospect from Tahoma (WA) High School, walked on to the program in the spring. Though he never played high school football, Niesner was named the top prospect from the state of Washington at the Ray Guy prokicker.com camp.
     
A key element of special teams does return in long snapper Riley Shackelford (6-1, 230). Just a sophomore, Shackelford had a spotless freshman season, handing every Viking long snap successfully.
     
Portland State also boasts one of the best kick returners in the Big Sky in senior Kahlil Dawson (5-9, 180). He currently holds the Portland State career record for kick return average (26.7) and ranks ninth all-time in total yards (1,040).
     
Senior Josh Kraght (6-0, 200) has handled the Vikings punt return duties for the past two seasons as well.