Fall camp is a week old for the Portland State Vikings, but the first real look at who they are comes in small part on Thursday and in large part on Saturday.
 
The Vikings will "get after it" in Thursday morning's practice as the Vikings will be outfitted in full pads for the first time for the two-hour practice session. On Saturday, PSU will have its first full scrimmage. Practice begins at 9:15 a.m., with the scrimmage starting at approximately 9:40. Head Coach Bruce Barnum expects the team to run 70-80 plays as the player evaluation will heighten in preparation for the 2024 Viking campaign.
 
"We will be looking for who is going to be helping us this year," said Barnum. "Right now, the level of competition, particularly on defense, has really improved.
 
"We have a lot of defensive linemen vying to get playing time. And, I think right now the defense is ahead of the offense overall. They are really getting their asses to the football."
 
Barnum also noted that the transfer portal has been kind to the Vikings this year with, ironically, two local players on defense. Sosefo "Joe" Moeaki, formerly of Portland's Parkrose High School by way of the University of Nevada, and Jamal McMurrin of West Salem High School via Missouri State, have made an impact in their first six practices with the Vikings.
 
Moeaki is a junior defensive tackle, while McMurrin is a senior cornerback. Both have been running with the first unit in the Vikings' first six practices.
 
"Joe is going to help our defensive line by making that group tougher and by being a leader. He is a great addition to the younger guys who have been developing the past two years," said Barnum.
 
As for McMurrin: "He looks like the real deal at cornerback. We watched him on film playing safety at Missouri State, so his transition here has shown really well."
 
On offense, Barnum has liked the performance of a pair of 2024 transfers from San Jose State - both junior wide receivers - Branden Alvarez and Terence Loville.
 
And as good as PSU's high school recruiting has been the past few years, Barnum knows the transfer portal is a way of life in college football. On a team of 116 players, 19 are transfers from Division schools, with 13 coming from the FBS level. That may seem like a lot, but likely is average among FCS schools.
 
"It's what the game has become," said Barnum. "We need to be active in that area, evaluate well, and make sure those guys fit well in our locker room. It is a unique personality that takes a lot of pride in the school he is playing for."
 
So, despite being only a scrimmage, those transfers and the past couple of highly-touted recruiting classes will have a lot to play for on Saturday at Stott Community Field.
  
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