PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES - Dec. 18, 2019
| STUDENT-ATHLETE |
POS |
HGT • WGT |
YR |
HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS SCHOOLS) |
| Jalynnee McGee |
RB |
5-10 • 195 |
FR • HS |
Vancouver, WA (Skyview HS) |
| Holden Williams |
DT |
6-0 • 285 |
JR • JC |
Taft, CA (Taft HS/Bakersfield College) |
| D'Angalo Titialii |
OL |
6-2 • 325 |
FR • HS |
Federal Way, WA (Eastside Catholic HS) |
| Jernias Tafia |
OL |
6-3 • 305 |
FR • HS |
White Center, WA (Eastside Catholic HS) |
| VJ Malo |
DT |
6-1 • 270 |
JR • JC |
West Seattle, WA (O'Dea HS/Golden West College) |
| Nate Bennett |
WR |
6-3 • 195 |
FR • HS |
Simi Valley, CA (Grace Brethren HS) |
| Deion Malone |
WR/KR |
5-7 • 150 |
JR • JC |
Gardena, CA (Junipero Serra HS/Los Angeles Southwest College |
Portland State Football signed seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. The Vikings brought in four high schoolers and three transfers to their roster for 2020. Additional signees will be coming on National Signing Day, February 5.
Â
"This is a great start to our recruiting," said Viking Coach
Bruce Barnum. "I didn't imagine we could have a start like this, but because of the type of kids they are and caliber of football players they are, we feel really good. If we can repeat this on the February signing date, we will have one of the top FCS classes again."
Â
PSU had 16 seniors with expiring eligibility in 2019, and had a need at defensive tackle that has already been addressed. Among the three transfers are defensive tackles
VJ Malo (Golden West College) and
Holden Williams (Bakersfield College), who have impressive junior college resumes.
Â
"VJ and William will play right away and will have the advantage of being here for spring football," said Barnum.
Â
Also added is wide receiver/return specialist
Deion Malone from Los Angeles Southwest College. Malone had two kick returns for touchdown and 39.8 yard return average in 2019.
Â
"Deion is an electric returner and a guy who can play slot receiver. He will really add to our return game," said Barnum.
Â
Teammates
Jernias Tafia and
D'Angalo Titialii, two-time state champions from Eastside Catholic High School in Washington, have signed with the Viking program. The tandem of big men should be the future on the offensive line for the Vikings.
Â
"Those two guys are winners and they have a sense of urgency to win," said Barnum. "They are really talented guys who were heavily recruited."
Â
"With these guys and our defensive transfers, I feel like we really solidified our defense and offense up front."
Â
The skill positions were upgraded as well. The Vikings signed
Nate Bennett, a tall, athletic wide receiver from Grace Brethren High School in California.
Â
"The tenacity that Nate brings to that position as well as his height and great hands will allow him to have a great future in our program," Barnum said. "His love for the game means he should have an early impact at a position where we already have a talented group."
Local talent
Jalynnee McGee of Skyview High School in Vancouver joins the Viking backfield after a brilliant senior season as the Greater St. Helens League Offensive Player of the Year.
Â
"I feel like we got the top running back in the state of Washington with Jalynnee," said Barnum.
Â
Nate Bennett, WR, 6-3, 195, FR, HS, Simi Valley, CA (Grace Brethren HS)
Â
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football three times at Grace Brethren High School… was named first team All-League, first team All-County and Wide Receiver of the Year as a senior… his team was CIF Runner-up… caught 56 passes for 1,180 yards and 12 touchdowns… also made 108 tackles and four interceptions on defense… as a junior he earned first team All-League… caught 21 passes for 558 yards and five touchdowns… his team was CIF Champion and State Regional Champion.
Â
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Michael and Lisa Bennett… born November 30, 2001… has a brother, Nolan, and two sisters, Lauren and Caitlin… would like to major in Business… hobbies are hanging out with friends and family, playing basketball and Call of Duty… would like to play in the NFL.
Â
VJ Malo, DT, 6-1, 270, JR, JC, West Seattle, WA (O'Dea HS/Golden West College)
Â
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE
Played two seasons at Golden West College… earned first team All-Conference and first team All-State both years… as a sophomore had 26 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and one blocked kick in nine games… as a freshman made 41 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a pass breakup in 11 games.
Â
Lettered in football at O'Dea High School… a two-time first team All-Conference selection at offensive guard and defensive end.
Â
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Olo and Mika Malo… born September 6, 1999… has two sisters, Natalie and Noelle.
Â
Deion Malone, WR, 5-7, 150, JR, JC, Gardena, CA (Junipero Serra HS/LA Southwest College)
Â
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE
A decorated performer at Los Angeles Southwest College where he earned first team All-Conference wide receiver and first team kick returner… as sophomore caught 17 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns in six games… rushed 23 times for 121 yards and a score… also made eight kick returns for a 39.8 yard average and two touchdowns… 717 total all-purpose yards in a six games… as a freshman, had 52 receptions for 602 yards and four touchdowns… also rushed for 143 yards, and had 827 kick return yards… had seven total touchdowns.
Â
Lettered in football and track at Junipero Serra High School… earned first team All-League as a senior.
Â
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Cletera Daniels… born March 27, 1999… has one brother, Donald… would like to major in Business Law.
Â
Jalynnee McGee, RB, 5-10, 195, FR, HS, Vancouver, WA (Skyview HS)
Â
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football, basketball and track and field at Skyview High School… named the Greater St. Helens League Offensive Player of the Year… rushed for 1,282 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior.
Â
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Qianna Jackson and Stuart McGee… born December 26, 2001… has two brothers, Damajgion and Malik, and two sisters, Chamerea and Ameera… plans to major in Business… has coached youth football… would like to become a gym owner and train athletes.
Â
Jernias Tafia, OL, 6-3, 305, FR, HS, White Center, WA (Eastside Catholic HS)
Â
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football four years at Eastside Catholic High School… named first team All-League twice… member of a two-time state champion team… ranked 11
th in the nation.
Â
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Sharon Tafia… born June 2, 2002… has two brothers, Jersiah and Jody… hobbies include gaming, playing basketball and working out.
Â
D'Angalo Titialii, OL, 6-2, 325, FR, HS, Federal Way, WA (Eastside Catholic HS)
Â
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football at Eastside Catholic High School… earned first team All-Metro League in 2018 and 2019… his team was Washington State 3A Champion both seasons.
Â
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Tai and Alo Titialii… born July 26, 2002… has one sister, Belia, and one brother, Christian… hobby is spending time with family… hopes to play in the NFL.
Â
Holden Williams, DT, 6-0, 285, JR, JC, Taft, CA (Taft HS/Bakersfield College)
Â
BEFORE PORTLAND STATE
Played two seasons at Bakersfield College… earned first team All-League as a sophomore… made 26 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and one fumble recovery… second team All-League as a freshman… had 32 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.
Â
Lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Taft High School… was team MVP in both basketball and football.
Â
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Shannon Williams… born January 27, 1999… has one brother, Hayden, and two sisters, Hailey and Hunter… majoring in Criminal Justice… hobby is working out… would like to be a police officer.
Â
