The "getting to know you" phase of Portland State Football's spring practice continues on Thursday morning as the Vikings undertake their second practice at 8 a.m. at Stott Community Field.
 
TODAY - 2026 PORTLAND STATE DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS
On defense, the Vikings lost a number of players to graduation and the transfer portal, particularly on the line. However, 26 players return on that side of the football. There are 16 newcomers available for spring football as well.
 
PSU will be establishing a new kicker and punter in 2026 as the previous starters have graduated.
 
Below, Head Coach Chris 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 with be arriving in the fall. Returning starters are marked with *.
 
CHRIS FISK TALKS ABOUT…
 
THE DEFENSIVE LINE
Three of the seven returning defensive linemen were redshirts in 2025. Five transfers are on the field this spring and are expected to play a big role in 2026.
 
"We talk about building from the inside out, and there are some guys from the previous roster that we are excited about at defensive tackle. You start with Herbert Ware. He has the ability to do some things for us. He has ability, quickness on the snap, and has put on some good size and strength this winter. Trey Kennedy-Coleman has the ability to impact us here this fall as well. We have to have some solid guys in there."
 
"Eddie Vega is someone we have been extremely impressed with this winter. His ability, his agility, his speed, his get off on the ball, and his strength numbers in the weight room are off the charts. I feel good about those three on the interior and we need to find some more guys on the interior in spring ball."
 
"On the edges, that is the biggest question mark. Brogan De'Asis transferring from Central (Washington) was big for us. He was heavily recruited at the Division I level. We are expecting big things from him. Kayce Tinner is transitioning from linebacker to defensive end we are excited about his length, speed and athleticism. His size is what we have got to work on right now. (Kekama) Cosma just transferred in from junior college and should contribute at that spot. Jaylun Nowickas is another junior college transfer that we think is going to do some really good stuff. He had an outstanding winter when he got here."
 
"Oliver Macy is hard working kid and a young player who walked on here and will be a player to look at."
 
"We think Elijah Eason is a talent, but he has been injured for a while. Hopefully we will see some things out of him this spring."
 
34 Brogan De'Asis                                          DL       6-3        235      SR       TR
37    Kayce Tinner                                         DL       6-4        215      FR       RS
44    Kekama Cosma                                     DL       6-4        245       JR        JC
50    Austin Goetz                                         DE       6-2        245       JR        1V
56    Jaylun Nowickas                                   DE       6-3        240       JR        JC
90    Herbert Ware                                       DT       6-4        290      SO       1V
91    Trey Kennedy-Coleman                        DL       6-2        280      FR       RS
93    Oliver Macy                                          DE       6-3        230      FR       RS
95    Siaosi Langi                                           DL       6-2        255       JR        JC
96    Eddie Vega                                            DL       6-3        290       JR        TR
99    Elijah Eason                                          DE       6-5        250       JR        2V
         Avery Ducsik                                         DE       6-5        225      FR       HS
         Alexander Esuk                                     DT       6-1        275      FR       HS
         Cole Goldsworthy                                 DL       6-5        210      FR       HS
         Zeliah Wade                                          DL       6-4        260      FR       HS
         Cole Wilson                                           DL       6-4        245      FR       HS
 
LINEBACKERS
Leading the way is veteran SR LB Jaxton Helmstetler (71 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, fumble recovery for touchdown in 2025), a starter in all 12 games last season. SRs Henry Amposta and Jonah Henry also saw action last season. JR Davin Beason missed last season with injury and will miss the spring as well… two of the six returning linebackers are redshirts and four newcomers have joined for spring.
 
"I look at the linebackers like I do the wide receivers. I think we are loaded with talent at that position."
 
"The Epperson kid, a transfer from Washington, is a really special talent. He has only been here a few days and has a real good feel for what is going on and has done a nice job."
 
"(Jaxton) Helmstetler is a special talent. I think he will have a really good year for us. He is talented and the defensive scheme we utilize will feature him, and he will make a lot of plays for us. If we can get Davin Beason to recover (from injury), we think he is a heck of a player. We looked at film on him and think he has a lot of talent."
 
"Logan Lisherness followed us here from Central (Washington). He started for us and was an all-conference player for us. He is going to really add to the defense. Even if he doesn't start for us, he knows the defense and has a leg up on everyone else. He is big, strong and fast and can do a lot of really good things."
 
"(Kayin) Booker is a player I am fascinated to see. He may be the best athlete in the group. (Henry) Amposta and (Jonah) Henry are returning players we think can play." 
 
"That group is as good as any position on the team."
 
   4    Jonathan Epperson Jr.                          LB       6-0        225      FR       TR
   6    Jaxton Helmstetler*                             LB       6-2        220      SR       3V
   9    Davin Beason                                        LB       6-1        235       JR        2V
25    Kayin Booker                                        LB       6-2        225      FR       RS
31    Logan Lisherness                                  LB       6-2        230       JR        TR
32    Carson Cox                                            LB       6-2        230       JR        JC
36    Solomon McDaniel                               LB      5-11       225       JR        RS
39    Henry Amposta                                    LB       6-2        225      SR       1V
42    Caine Elroy                                            LB       6-0        225      SR       TR
49    Jonah Henry                                          LB       6-2        200      SR       1V
         Jayden Pauling                                      LB       6-4        205      FR       HS
 
DEFENSIVE BACK
The Vikings return 10 defensive backs, including eight that are redshirt freshmen or sophomores, but no starters. There are seven newcomers available for spring practice. The volume of players should make the competition for playing time exciting to watch.
 
"We lost a lot of good football players here that transferred out at those positions but we have a lot of players to look at this spring."
 
"Gio Kafentzis is a really good football player who should be a good boundary safety. He had a really good winter and can really run the field. We think he will be very good."
 
"Terahiti Wolfe, we played against him (at Central Washington) when he was at Montana and we know what he can do."
 
"Returner Diontaye Moorman we feel really good about. We think he will turn into something special."
 
"Theo Thompson has his best football ahead of him. He is turning into a really good boundary safety."
 
"Isaac Redford played a lot at Eastern Washington last year so we think he can contribute a lot."
 
"Kenen Elder has the length and body you want to see at cornerback. DaMari Washington has the skill set you are looking for. I am looking forward to seeing what those two can do this spring."
 
"The rest of a very large group we don't know a lot about, but we are looking forward to seeing what they can all do. We have a lot of good length in the back end and that usually ends up being a good thing for your defense."
 
   0    Terahiti Wolfe                                        S       5-11       175       JR        TR
   7    Gio Kafentzis                                          S       5-10       190      SO       TR
   8    Diontaye Moorman                             DB      6-0        185      SO       1V
14    Theo Thompson                                    S        6-0        195      SO       1V
15    Isaac Redford                                       DB     5-11       200       JR        JC
19    Zyon Floyd                                            DB     5-10       175      FR       RS
20    Malik Ross                                            DB     5-11       190      SR       TR
21    Kenen Elder                                          DB      6-0        175      SO       1V
22    DaMari Washington                             CB       6-1        185      SO       1V
23    Marcellous Ryan                                   CB       6-0        155      FR       HS
24    Tre Taylor                                              S        6-0        190      SR       1V
26    Sanborne Melson                                 CB       6-0        195       JR        TR
27    Quincy Springs                                      CB       6-2        185      SR       TR
28    Dionte West                                         DB      6-1        195      FR       RS
30    Lono Solomon                                      DB     5-11       170      FR       RS
35    Samuel Etienne                                    CB       6-2        175      FR       RS
38    Deon Cavitt                                            S        6-1        200      SR       1V
         Deryk Farmer                                         S        6-2        190      FR       HS
         Chaz Katoanga                                       S        6-2        190      FR       HS
         Marcus Post                                           S        6-0        195      FR       HS
         Andrew Powell                                     CB      5-11       170      FR       HS
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
"I really like Brock Fleming, the long snapper. He has some leadership skills and some things that are good for us, and he is good at what he does. That's a funny position because you don't think about until you don't have it, and then you stress and you don't know how you are going to punt the ball."
 
"Dylan Stevens and Joshua Hossman Lees are in an open competition at kicker. We don't know a lot about them yet, but we will. Kyler Phillips we are really excited about coming in. We thought he had one of the strongest legs on the west coast and we think he will be our punter."
 
37    Joshua Hossman Lees                            K        6-1        180       JR        JC
45    Brock Fleming*                                     LS       6-1        180      SO       1V
49    Dylan Stevens                                      K/P      6-0        180      FR       RS
         Cash Larsson                                         LS       6-0        225      FR       HS
         Kyler Phillips                                        K/P     5-10       165      FR       HS
 
OTHER SPRING STORIES ON VIKINGS FOOTBALL
Vikings Football Officially Enters The Fisk Era With First Spring Practice
Portland State Offensive Preview
 
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.
Sat., May 9, Spring Football Game, Stott Community Field, 1 p.m.
 
Football practice at Stott Community Field