Day two of Portland State Football fall camp (in the summer) included some live seven-on-seven and plays from scrimmage. That ratcheted up the intensity for the near 100 players on the field.
 
PSU has an unprecedented start to its schedule on Aug. 23 when the Vikings host sixth-ranked Tarleton State at Hillsboro Stadium. Meanwhile, there are a lot of questions to be answered in the coming weeks, but that is what fall camp is all about.
 
Portland State goes into the season with 35 returning letterwinners and 13 returning starters. Some 50 players in all have game experience. PSU added 18 freshmen and 13 transfers in the offseason.
 
CANDIDATES TO PLAY: A look at Portland State's defense and special teams for 2025.
 
BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES
Portland State has a cadre of defensive linemen returning in 2025 - its largest position group prior to the season - ensuring heated competition for playing time. The Vikings have 10 returning letterwinners, three redshirts and two transfers.
        
SR DE Slade Shufelt (6-3, 255, 13T-2.5TFL) is the most experienced player in the group. But JRs Spencer Elliott (6-2, 235, 17T-2.5TFK-INT), Elias Sanders (6-2, 265, 8T-TFL) and Elijah Eason (6-5, 250, 16T-1.5TFL) also have significant field time. At defensive end, SR DE Jayden Brannan (6-3, 225, 5 tackles) is back after showing promise early in 2024. Unfortunately, an injury limited him to three games.
        
A big addition is actually a returning player. SR DT J'Querian Ladson (6-3, 300, 8T-TFL-FR) got a year of eligibility back from the NCAA due to his previous status as a junior college player. He is a favorite to be the Vikings nose tackle.
        
Other letterwinners trying to break through include SOs Bam Afalava (6-3, 260), Donte Hookfin (6-3, 250) and Austin Goetz (6-2, 245), and JRs Rob Silva (6-0, 300), Michael MacNeill (6-1, 275) and Jayden Sandusky (6-1, 265), as well as redshirt freshman Herbert Ware (6-4, 290).
        
Those players, along with transfers Tuaoa Tauili'ili (SO, 6-3, 330, Idaho State) and Daniel Matagi (SO, 6-0, 285, Central Washington), should form a deep, veteran group up front for the Vikings.

LOOKING FOR LINEBACKERS
Portland State lost its two starting linebackers from 2024 to the transfer portal. The good news is the Vikings return a pair of experienced players at the position. Junior linebackers Davin Beason (6-1, 235) and Jaxton Helmstetler (6-2, 220) will need to elevate their games in the coming year. Beason competed at middle linebacker, making 24 tackles in mostly a backup role last season. Helmstetler had two starts and made 15 tackles with two tackles for loss.
        
Nevada transfer Aedan Seiuli (6-3, 225) appears ready to take on a key role. He comes in after making eight starts and 45 tackles for the Wolfpack last season. Saddleback Community College transfer Henry Amposta (6-2, 225) will also get a chance to make an impact, as will JC transfer Lonnie Burt (6-0, 215).
        
After that, the Vikings will look for help from JR Jordan Allen (6-1, 225). He was expected to have an impact last year after transferring in from San Jose State but a knee injury wiped out his season. If he can get to full strength, Allen should see a lot of action. JR Solomon McDaniel (5-11, 225) is a local player who is a transfer from nearby Lewis & Clark College and had a solid spring practice session.
        
SR Keegan Stancato (6-4, 210) has experience and RS JR Deon Cavitt (6-1, 200) will bring depth at the position.
 
DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
The Vikings defensive backfield is young and hungry to make its mark. There is little experience beyond three returning sophomores. FS Isaiah Green (50T-3PBU-INT) and CB Bryson Ross (19T-3PBU in seven games) are athletic and evolved into starters as the 2024 season progressed. Green was named to the Big Sky's Preseason All-Conference team. Their success will be vital to the defensive backfield's overall performance.
        
The coaching staff is high on redshirt DBs Pierce Walker (FR, 5-10, 180), Carsten Mamaril (JR, 5-9, 180) and DaMari Washington (FR, 6-0, 185). Boise State transfer Dionte Thornton (SO, 6-0, 205) and Sacramento State transfer Jerome Roberts (5-10, 210) enter the mix this fall and are expected to take on key roles.
        
Three redshirt freshmen are ready to go in Theo Thompson (6-0, 195), Diontaye Moorman (6-0, 185) and Kenen Elder (6-0, 175).
        
How all those players sort themselves out will be as interesting as the battle at quarterback.
 
GET ON THE GOOD FOOT
Coming off strong first seasons with the Vikings, SR K Mathias Uribe and SR P Tony Johnson should give PSU one of the better special teams units in the conference.
        
Uribe was an honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference choice and a Fred Mitchell Award finalist, given to the top placekicker at the FCS, Division II, III, NAIA or JC level. He was 11-12 on field goals and 37-38 on extra points in 2024.
        
Johnson averaged 41.0 yards per punt, and was a key to holding opponents to just 72 return yards all season (3.3 pr).
        
SO LS Kristian Ingman (6-5, 235) and RS FR LS Brock Fleming (6-1, 180) both return as well.
 
MORE VIKINGS FOOTBALL NEWS
A Look At The Offense In 2025
Video: Viking Football at Big Sky Football Media Day
Video: Vikings legendary running back Charles "Chip" Dunn inducted into the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame
Beaman, Green Named To Preseason All-Big Sky Conference Team

PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL PRACTICE
(times tentative, media availability following practices)
Sat, July 26         9:30-11:30 a.m.
Sun, July 27        Off Day
 
Mon, July 28      9:30-11:45 a.m.
Tues, July 29      9:30-11:45 a.m.
Wed, July 30      9:30-11:45 a.m.
Thurs, July 31     9:30-11:45 a.m.
Fri, Aug. 1           9:30-11:45 a.m. (scrimmage)