For the second year in a row, Portland State Football will make an early turn of the calendar to spring. The Vikings open spring practice on Feb. 19 at Stott Community Field.
PSU returns 48 letterwinners to the 2020 roster. Eleven others gained game experience in 2019, but were able to maintain their redshirt status. The Vikings have six starters back on offense, five on defense, as well as their kicker and punter. In addition, two starters on defense and one on offense who missed most of last season due to injury also return. So, the Vikings may have its most experienced roster in the past four seasons taking the field.
Including redshirts, the Vikings should have approximately 75 players available to compete in the spring. From its recent signing class of 19, two members will also be on campus to compete in the spring.
The Vikings will practice 15 times over four weeks, culminating in the Spring Game on Mar. 14 at Stott Community Field.
Senior quarterback
Davis Alexander, who has started 25 career games for the Vikings, will lead an offense loaded with talented receivers. PSU led the nation in time of possession last season, as Alexander's superb pass-run skills led him to 3,445 yards of total offense and 30 total touchdowns for the Vikings. His top four wide receivers return as juniors
Beau Kelly,
Mataio Talalemotu and
Davis Koetter, and senior
Emmanuel Daigbe combined for 140 receptions, 2,178 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2019.
At running back, young players
Jobadiah Malary and
JoJo Siofele will step into primary roles along with returning senior
Malik Walker (66-284-4) and junior
Bishop Mitchell, who returns from an injury season.
The Vikings will have veterans up front in returning senior starters
Babak Ghadaksaz,
Carlos Barraza and sophomore
Shiloh Ta'ase, as well as experienced veterans in juniors
Tyson Pauling and
Brady Brick, and seniors
John Krahn and
Tommy Laverde. Redshirt freshman
Richard Estrella will also compete for a starting role.
On defense, the Vikings will return five starters, including consensus All-American safety
Anthony Adams, who led the nation in passes defensed in 2019 (5 INTs, 19 PBUs). Linebackers
Nicolas Ah Sam,
Dylan Hanley and
David Joseph, who ranked 3-4-5 in tackles for the Vikings are also back. In addition, the Vikings will benefit from the return of starters at safety,
Ryan Lesch, and defensive end,
Noah Yunker, who missed most of last year due to injury. Senior defensive tackle
Semise Kofe should lead up front with 32 career games and 12 career starts.
Transfer defensive tackles
Holden Williams (Bakersfield College) and
VJ Malo (Golden West College) will be on the field in the spring preparing to join Kofe up front.
Perhaps the most interesting position battle will be at cornerback as no less than six redshirt freshmen vie for starting roles.
Portland State can boast two of the best special teams performers in the Big Sky Conference. Junior kicker
Cody Williams booted 15 field goals last season and holds three PSU records. Senior punter
Seth Vernon averaged 43.2 yards per punt last season, ranking 12
th in the nation.
Head Coach
Bruce Barnum begins his sixth season at the helm. The Vikings were 5-7 in 2019, 3-5 in the Big Sky Conference. PSU averaged 34.7 points and 453.8 yards of total offense while allowing 30.0 points and 408.6 yards on defense.
A complete spring preview will be released on Feb. 18.
Spring Practice Schedule
Wed., Feb. 19 8-9:30 a.m.
Thurs., Feb. 20 8-9:30 a.m.
Fri., Feb. 21 8-9:30 a.m.
Mon., Feb. 24 8-9:30 a.m.
Tues., Feb. 25 8-9:30 a.m.
Thurs., Feb. 27 8-9:30 a.m.
Fri., Feb. 28 8-9:30 a.m.
Mon., Mar. 2 8-9:30 a.m.
Tues., Mar. 3 8-9:30 a.m.
Thurs., Mar. 5 8-9:30 a.m.
Fri., Mar. 6 8-9:30 a.m.
Mon., Mar. 9 8-9:30 a.m.
Tues., Mar. 10 8-9:30 a.m.
Thurs., Mar. 12 8-9:30 a.m.
Sat., Mar. 14 Spring Game, Time TBA
All practices at Stott Community Field on the PSU campus
