"Getting to know you" was the theme as some 70 Viking football players took the field for the first spring practice of the Chris Fisk era Tuesday morning at Stott Community Field. With 25 newcomers in the spring, the Vikings are getting to know one another. With an entirely new coaching staff, they are learning the expectations of a program transition. And with new offensive and defensive schemes, they are learning a different style of football.
 
"It was good to be out here and be in helmets and get familiar with each other," said Fisk, following the two-hour workout. "There are a lot of things to work out. Practice wasn't as smooth as you would hope, but I don't think it ever is."
 
Energy and effort are what coaches always look for in their first practice. With all the new and different processes for the Vikings this year, that is the key to moving forward.
 
"We saw great attitudes and good effort today. We have a lot of fundamentals to work on. That's always where you are at this time of the year. We have a lot of transfers who are new and the returners are doing things differently, so that puts them in a tough spot to learn. That process takes time," said Fisk.
 
"The goal for this week is just to learn how to practice our way, what their jobs are, the x's and o's of things, mixing special teams in there. I hope we come through this week learning a lot about each other and get to week two in a good spot."
 
Practice resumes on Thursday at 8 a.m.
 
TODAY - 2026 PORTLAND STATE OFFENSE (DEFENSE COMING ON WEDNESDAY)
On offense, the Vikings have experience. In fact, all three quarterbacks who saw significant action, the top running back, two of the top three receivers and top tight end return. In addition, three starters on the offensive line and one part-time starter are back. That is the starting point for Chris Fisk's staff that also has eight offensive newcomers this spring.
 
Below, Fisk gave some initial comments about his players prior to the start of spring practice. Players are listed at each position. Those with numbers will be competing in spring ball, those without willh be arriving in the fall. Returning starters are marked with *.
 
CHRIS FISK TALKS ABOUT…
 
THE OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line features returning starters SR James Minot (12 starts), SO Pule Leatigaga (11 starts), SR Semisi Latu (8 starts) and RS FR Juan Pasillas-Stanton (4 starts).
 
"The offensive line will be in a long-term developmental process. We are excited to see Tristan Lewis compete this spring. He has some awesome leadership abilities. We want to see how he takes control of that group."
 
"Mo Othman, a transfer from San Jose State, has really flashed for us this winter. He has some awesome God-given ability. He is 300 pounds and moves like a gazelle. He has some leadership ability as well. Mo has done a nice job in bringing that group together."
 
"Braylon Cornell has also had a nice winter. We are super excited to get Pule Leatigaga out there. His ceiling is extremely high. He is barely scratching the surface of what he can do."
 
"Trevor Newkirk is a transfer from Cal Poly. We are really excited to see what he can do on the field."
 
"With this group we won't know much until we put the pads on, get into some inside runs, and put those guys in some more stressful situations."
 
52    James Minot*                                       OL         6-2        290         SR       1V
60    Anthony Tena                                       OL         6-4        290         SR       3V
62    Juan Pasillas-Stanton                            OL         6-3        315         FR       RS
63    Mohammed Othman                           OL         6-6        305         SO       TR
64    Tristan Lewis                                         OL         6-5        305         JR        2V
65    Ben Kapelka                                          OL         6-4        260         JR        SQ
67    Brody Sahlfeld                                      OL         6-4        270         FR       TR
68    Semisi Latu*                                         OL         6-2        305         SR       1V
69    Kapeliele Hausia                                   OL         6-4        305         SR       1V
71    Braylon Cornell                                     OL         6-6        285         SR       1V
73    Gobi Goodson                                       OL         6-3        300         FR       RS
74    Pule Leatigaga*                                    OL         6-4        335         SO       1V
77    Trevor Newkirk                                     OL         6-7        310         SO       TR
         Joey Ellis                                               OL         6-6        300         FR       HS
         Cole Graber                                          OL         6-7        285         FR       HS
         Gavyn Welch                                        OL         6-4        285         FR       HS
         Gabe Crawford                                     OL         6-7        270         FR       HS
         Duncan Broughton                               OL         6-5        315         FR       HS
 
TIGHT ENDS
JR TE Tanner Beaman was a 2024 second team All-Big Sky Conference selection and preseason All-Big Sky choice in 2025. Unfortunately, a foot injury ended his season before it started. He will be back to full health in 2026 and be vital to a young position group.
 
"Tanner Beaman is a special player. We know that from previous seasons. His missing last year with an injury was a big blow to the team. He is special, and we need to be intelligent about how we use him."
 
"I am really excited about Landon Bailey for the future. He is a walk-on who has been a receiver and never been asked to block a lot. That part of the game is new to him but he has really dived into it. At his size and the type of target he is and his ball skills in terms of catching the ball, he can be pretty special."
 
"Ben Stevens is transitioning from wide receiver and learning every day."
 
10    Tanner Beaman*(2024)                       TE         6-4        235         JR        2V
83    Landon Bailey                                       TE         6-6        235         FR       RS
88    Ben Stevens                                          TE         6-4        220         SO       RS
         Colton Kennedy                                    TE         6-4        225         FR       HS
         Tyler Weaver                                        TE         6-6        230         FR       HS
         Gage Williams                                       TE         6-4        230         FR       HS
 
WIDE RECEIVERS
SR WR Terence Loville (33-517-1) was given an NCAA waiver for an additional year of eligibility after leading the Vikings in receiving yards in 2025… SO WR/KR Cru Newman (29-302-0, 12-70-1 rushing, 669 return yards) proved to be the Vikings' top all-purpose player, earning Freshman All-American and Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors.
 
"The guys that are here are pretty good. I have as much optimism in this group as any on the team."
 
"T-Love (Terence Loville) is a special player who should have a big year. He is one of those guys, as a senior, you want to have the buy-in first, like (TE) Tanner Beaman and (LB) Jaxton Helmstetler. I know he is a good player, and we are now asking him to be a leader and he is embracing that role."
 
"Cru (Newman) is a special player transitioning from being a part-time quarterback to receiver. We see him being the same type of player as Cooper Kupp in Seattle. He has the same type of build, the same work ethic, the same mentality. He has completely bought in to being wide receiver so we expect really big things out of him."
 
"Jaylen Lynch is doing a really job and we want to see what we get out of him this spring. Andre Miller has a lot of ability and he is just starting to get to full activity now after an injury last season."
 
"Devon Anderson was a transfer in this winter. I think he is going to be pretty special. He has done some things this winter that not a lot of players can do. Jason Robinson is a transfer as well this spring. We have a lot of work and teaching to do with him, but we think he is a special talent."
 
"Darius Bailey is a Division III transfer but he looks really good on the hoof. He will be a great depth guy for us and make plays for us during the game. I think he will also be a really good special teams player."
 
"Hudson Waples is a walk-on and we have been really impressed with him this winter. He is like Darius, in that he can be a really good depth guy, and also be a good special teams guy as well."
 
   0    Jaylen Lynch*                                      WR        6-2        185         SR       3V
   1    Devon Anderson                                  WR        6-2        180         SO       JC
   2    Jason Robinson Jr.                               WR       5-10       150         SO       TR
   3    Terence Loville*                                  WR        6-0        185         SR       1V
   6    Cru Newman*                                      WR        6-0        185         SO       1V
   8    Daulton Beard                                     WR        6-5        200         SO       RS
12    Andre Miller                                        WR        6-0        180         SO       1V
20    Darius Bailey                                        WR        6-2        205         JR        TR
86    Hudson Waples                                   WR       5-11       170         FR       RS
         Kaleb Jammer                                      WR       5-11       165         FR       HS
         Skyler Ormita                                       WR        5-8        175         FR       HS
         Zui Shelton                                           WR        5-9        160         FR       HS
         Hunter Vaughn                                    WR        6-1        185         FR       HS
         Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes                        WR        6-1        175         FR       HS
 
QUARTERBACKS
All three quarterbacks who saw significant action return and will compete for the starting role in 2026… JR QB John-Keawe Sagapolutele (148-261-16-1,623-4TD), SO QB Tyrese Smith (40-69-4-551-2TD, 98-405-6 rushing) and JR QB Gabe Downing (15-26-2-140-0) are experienced signal callers. Hunter Herrera and Jackson Presley will also enter the competition in the fall.
 
"I adhere to the old adage that when you have two quarterbacks you have no quarterbacks. We will be on the hunt to see who is going to be the guy. I think there is a lot of talent in there between Gabe (Downing), John (Sagapolutele) and Tyrese (Smith). Those guys are not lacking in talent. Once we get them used to the system, what they are going to need is as many reps as we can possibly get them. It will be fun to watch."
 
"Hunter (Herrera) will be out for the spring recovering from injury."
 
   5    Gabe Downing                                     QB         6-0        185         JR        2V
   9    John-Keawe Sagapolutele*                      QB         6-1        205         JR        1V
14    Tyrese Smith                                        QB         6-2        225         SO       1V
16    Hunter Herrera                                    QB         6-3        200         JR        JC
27    Avirey Durdahl                                     QB         6-0        190         FR       RS
         Jackson Presley                                    QB         6-1        195         FR       HS
 
RUNNING BACKS
JR RB Delon Thompson (191-662-7 rushing, 22-217-1 receiving) led the Vikings in rushing and has over 1,300 career yards on the ground.
 
"Delon (Thompson) is a talent and a special player. The thing that is most impressive about him is he is a 'tell him once and he's got it' type of guy. I do think we are fortunate he chose to stay with us. I think of him along the lines of (TE) Tanner Beaman, I think he can that good."
 
"Derrick (Blanche) is a short running back. When you get him behind a big front, you can't see those guys and sometimes that is good. His lateral quickness, short-area quickness, is off the charts. We didn't know a lot about him, but we are excited about what he can do."
 
"Niall (Raby) is going to end up being along the lines of Delon. He is really special in the way he runs, and his competitive nature is off the charts. His grit and determination are something special."
 
"Unfortunately, Micah Avery will be out for the spring with an injury."
 
   4    Micah Avery                                         RB        5-10       185         SO       1V
   7    Niall Raby                                              RB        5-10       205         JR        JC
24    Delon Thompson*                                RB         5-9        200         JR        2V
29    Derrick Blanche Jr.                                RB         5-8        165         FR       RS
         Justin Craigwell                                     RB        5-11       205         FR       HS
 
OTHER SPRING STORIES ON VIKINGS FOOTBALL
Vikings Football Officially Enters The Fisk Era With First Spring Practice
 
SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Thurs., Apr. 9, 8-10 a.m.
Sat., Apr. 11, 8-10 a.m.
Tues., Apr. 14, 8-10 a.m.
Thurs., Apr. 16, 8-10 a.m.
Sat., Apr. 18, 2-4 p.m.
Tues., Apr. 21, 8-10 a.m.
Thurs., Apr. 23, 8-10 a.m.
Sat., Apr. 25, 2-4 p.m.
Tues., Apr. 28, 8-10 a.m.
Thurs., Apr. 30, 8-10 a.m.
Sat., May 2, Scrimmage at Kiggins Bowl, 10 a.m.-Noon
Tues., May 5, 8-10 a.m.         
Thurs., May 7, 8-10 a.m.
Fri., May 8, Spring Football Game, Hillsboro Stadium, 6 p.m.
 
Football practice at Stott Community Field