History repeated itself on Thursday when Portland State football players Anthony Adams and Charlie Taumoepeau were given All-American recognition from STATS, the sponsor of FCS post-season awards. Adams was once again named first team All-American as a defensive back, while Taumoepeau earned second team All-American at tight end. The Viking duo earned the same awards from Associated Press earlier this week.
 
Adams was at the top of the nation's list for passes defended this season with 24 (19 pass breakups and five interceptions). His first team honors from STATS and AP make him PSU's first first-team All-American since 2015 when another Viking safety, Patrick Onwuasor (now of the Baltimore Ravens), also won the honor.
 
In addition, Adams recently placed 12^th in the balloting for the Buck Buchanan Award, honoring the top defensive player in the nation at the FCS level. He was a first team All-Big Sky Conference choice and also was selected to the Hero Sports FCS Sophomore All-American team on Tuesday.
 
As mentioned, Adams, a 6-foot, 185-pound sophomore from Newberg, led the nation in passes defended. His five interceptions and 19 pass breakups led the Big Sky Conference in each category. Adams ranked 13^th in the nation in interceptions. He also had 56 tackles, two tackles for loss and blocked a kick on special teams. Adams broke the Portland State school record for pass breakups in a season (previously 15). 

Adams now has 26 PBUs in his two seasons on the Park Blocks and already ranks sixth for a career. He is on pace to break the school career record (33). Overall, he has 104 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, 26 pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 23 career games.
 
Taumoepeau, one of the most prolific tight ends in Portland State history, earns All-America honors for the second year in a row. Last season, he was a consensus second teamer, and with the STATS honor has been named to three All-America teams in 2019 (Hero Sports, AP).
 
Taumoepeau, from Federal Way, WA, went into the year picked as a preseason All-American by numerous media outlets and he lived up to the billing. The 6-3, 245-pound Taumopeau earned first team All-Big Sky Conference last month for the second season in a row. The Vikings' top receiver during his career, Taumoepeau caught 36 passes for 474 yards and two touchdowns in 2019 despite missing two games. He wrapped up a career that included 117 catches, 1,876 yards and 11 TDs.
 
Taumoepeau is considered the Vikings' top NFL prospect. He will appear in the Reese's Senior Bowl All-Star Game on Jan. 25 in Mobile, AL.

STATS FCS All-American team 
Associated Press FCS All-American team
Hero Sports FCS All-American team
Hero Sports Sophomore All-American team
 
Portland State football players have been named All-American 25 times (with most winning multiple awards) since the program moved to Division I and joined the Big Sky Conference in 1996.
 
Portland State Football All-Americans since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996
(All-American recognition from STATS Inc, AFCA, Associated Press, FCS ADA, Hero Sports and/or Walter Camp)
1998    Bobby Singh, OL (1)
1999    Terry Charles, WR
2000    Charles Dunn, RB (1); Rashad Floyd, CB; Dan Frantz, K
2001    Terry Charles, WR (1); Ryan Fuqua, RB
2005    Joe Rubin, RB (1)
2006    Adam Hayward, LB (1); Brennen Carvalho, OL (1)
2007    Brennen Carvalho, C (1); Tremayne Kirkland, WR
2008    Andy Schantz, LB
2011    Zach Brown, K (1)
2012    Ian Sluss, LB
2013    Kyle Loomis, P (1); DJ Adams, RB; Mitchell Van Dyk, OL
2014    Kyle Loomis, P (1)
2015    Patrick Onwuasor, S (1); Kameron Canaday, LS
2016    Xavier Coleman, CB
2018    Charlie Taumoepeau, TE
2019    Anthony Adams, S (1); Charlie Taumoepeau, TE
 
(1) indicates first team All-American
 
Other FCS All-America announcements coming out later this week:
Friday, Dec. 20 -- AFCA
TBD -- Walter Camp
TBD – Phil Steele