Spring Football Opens Tuesday Morning At Stott Community Field

The Portland State Vikings will open spring football practice on April 2 at Stott Community Field. The 15-practice session will conclude with the Spring Game on Saturday, April 27, at Hillsboro Stadium.
     
PSU has 54 returning letterwinners and 15 returning starters from the 2023 season. Thirty redshirts also return, including 22 who saw game action last season. That gives the Vikings over 70 players with game experience.
     
The national letter of intent signee day brought 27 new Vikings to the program, including 22 freshmen and five transfers. Three transfer signees will be available for the spring, and six walk-ons will be looking for a role on the team.
 
SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, April 2, 8-9:15 a.m.
Wednesday, April 3, 8-9:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 4, 8-10 a.m.
Friday, April 5, 8-10 a.m.
Saturday, April 6, 9-11 a.m.
 
Tuesday, April 9, 8-10 a.m.
Wednesday, April 10, 8-10 a.m.
Thursday, April 11, 8-10 a.m.
Friday, April 12, 8-10 a.m.
 
Tuesday, April 16, 8-10 a.m.
Wednesday, April 17, 8-10 a.m.
Thursday, April 18, 8-10 a.m.
 
Monday, April 22, 8-10 a.m. (scrimmage)
Friday, April 26, 8-9:15 a.m.
Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m., Spring Game, Hillsboro Stadium
 

A LOOK AT THE VIKINGS FOR 2024

THE OFFENSE

• DANTE’S DATA: SR QB Dante Chachere (6-3, 200) will begin his third season directing the Viking offense in 2024. Over the past two years, Chachere has compiled 4,767 yards of total offense and 52 total touchdowns. Chachere has rushed for more than 1,200 yards with 17 TDs, and passed for over 3,500 yards and 35 TDs. With 4,919 yards of total offense and 54 total touchdowns in his career Chachere has proven to be the epitome of the pass/run quarterback… Chachere has twice been named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week and will be one of the league’s top returning QBs… the real intrigue at quarterback is likely the battle for backup. Behind the incumbent signal caller is a group of four freshmen – two redshirts (Gabe Downing and Jazel Riley) and two true (Cru Newman and Tyrese Smith) – and redshirt junior Keegan Stancato (6-4, 210) and walk-on junior William Haskell (6-4, 200). It should be fascinating.
• RUNNING GAME REBOOT: The Viking running game was dominant in 2023, averaging 224.0 yards per game to rank second in the Big Sky Conference and sixth in the nation. It was the best rushing performance by a Viking team in six seasons. In 2024, the backfield will need to feature old and new. SO RB Quincy Craig (5-9, 185) was named to the Jerry Rice Watch List for National Freshman of the Year honors early last year. He had 66 carries for 410 yards and three touchdowns, 19 receptions for 207 yards and three touchdowns, and six punt returns for 70 yards after six games. At that point he was leading the Big Sky Conference in all-purpose yards (124.0). Unfortunately, a knee injury knocked him out for the remainder of the season. Still, the 5-9, 185-pound back so impressed the league that he earned Big Sky all-purpose back honorable mention recognition. His return to health and the return of SR RB Christian Grubb (5-9, 170; 53-282-1) give the backfield a dynamic presence. Grubb was an all-around back for the Vikings compiling 727 all-purpose yards. The incorporation of SR RB Jalynnee McGee (5-10, 195; 562 career rushing yards) and RS FR Delon Thompson (5-9, 200; leading HS rusher in southern California in 2022) will be vital to continued success in the Viking running game.
• EARLY COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE: To say JR WR Darien Chase (6-1, 210) has has been faced with challenges throughout his collegiate career would be an understatement. Chase was a redshirt at Nebraska in 2019, then transferred to PSU in 2020. That season was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Finally, in 2021, as a redshirt freshman, Chase showed his talents, making 54 receptions for 579 yards and four touchdowns. His career – finally underway – was off to a great start. Unfortunately, a torn achilles tendon in preseason camp cost him the 2022 season. Then, Chase suffered a torn ACL last season on Sept. 30 at Montana State. As a result, he has played in only four games since 2021. Going into 2024, presuming good health, Chase should be the Vikings’ top wide receiver. Let’s all knock on wood… the Vikings will need production from Chase and to identify other big contributors as they will be the least experienced at wide receiver as they have been for some time. SR Semaj Bolin (5-10, 170), JRs Chance Miller (6-0, 180) and Jayden Brannan (6-3, 190), and SO Jaylen Lynch (6-2, 175) have seen limited field time as backups. Bolin established himself last year in his first full year at wide receiver since moving over from defensive back. SR Travis West (5-6, 160) is making that move this year after three seasons as a DB… JR TR Branden Alvarez (5-11, 180) should step into a role after transferring in from San Jose State, while RS FRs Eric Denham (5-11, 185), Joaquin Johnson (5-11, 180), Tini Tinitali (6-0, 180) and Marquis Roby (6-1, 185) will all get a look. Walk-on Eddie Schultz (RS FR, 6-1, 195), a Cal Poly transfer, will participate in spring football… the Vikings signed three freshmen: Daulton Beard (6-5, 195), Kenen Elder (6-0, 175) and Ben Stevens (6-4, 205).
• REGROUPING THE BIGGEST GROUP: Speaking of injuries, PSU’s offensive line had more than its share in 2023. The Vikings got through, but the depth was mostly gone by the end of the season. In 2024, the Vikings will be fully-staffed and experienced once again. The good news is four returning starters up front led by fourth-year OLs Richard Estrella (6-4, 305) and D’Angalo Titialii (6-2, 320). Also back are SR OL Billy Lutui (6-1, 310) and SO OL Isaac Perez (6-3, 305), who moved into starting roles in 2023. After that, the Vikings welcome back Pedro Timoteo (6-4, 335), Braylon Cornell (6-6, 285), Hezephaniah Po Ching (6-2, 300) and Dominic DeBerry (6-4, 285), all of whom were injured last year. Experienced backups Anthony Tena (6-4, 285), Christian Delacruz (6-3, 295) and Jake Cooper (6-5, 260) also return, while the RS FRs Tristan Lewis (6-5, 275) and Pryce Roberts (6-5, 290) – part of the top-ranked 2023 recruiting class – are also ready to go… PSU brought in SR TR Gavin Miller (6-6, 310) from Brown to compete for a starting role as well… three other redshirts and three 2024 freshmen signees make the position the largest and deepest on the team.
• TIGHT END TALENT: Another fascinating position battle will come from the tight end spot. The Vikings are deeper at that position than they have been in recent memory. SR Elias Spence (6-4, 225) has been a special teams leader, but also pitched in on the line last season. SO Tanner Beaman (6-3, 220) possesses size but can also got outside like a wide receiver. SOs Charlie White (6-2, 235) and Brooks Ferguson (6-5, 225) both gained experience in 2023. And, RS FR Kristian Ingman (6-5, 235) was an intriguing prospect last season before an early hand injury shut him down. Throw in JR TR Seth Lyon (6-3, 245) and JR walk-on Jahleel Heath (6-1, 235) and the Vikings have eight capable players battling for field time.

THE DEFENSE

• RE-ESTABLISHING THE RUSH: Portland State had a disappointing total of 10 sacks last season as a team. But, on the defensive line, it was apparent that a lot of young talent was emerging. The 2024 season should reveal those talents of a group that was a feature of PSU’s top-ranked 2023 recruiting class. SOs Elijah Eason (6-5, 235, 3 starts), Jayden House (6-2, 250, 2 starts) and Spencer Elliott (6-2, 235) all saw action at defensive end as true freshmen. They should take a big step forward in the coming season while classmates (and 2023 redshirts) Donte Hookfin (6-3, 240), Kamren Marsh (6-3, 250) and Bam Afalava (6-3, 240) join the mix… the Vikings return their starting defensive ends in JR Slade Shufelt (6-3, 255, 3.5 sacks) and SR Kennedy Freeman (6-1, 240, 2 sacks), though Freeman may miss part of the season while recovering from a knee injury… on the inside, starting SR DT Jordan Tagaloa (6-2, 285) is back. He is joined by SR J’Querian Ladson (6-4, 345) and SOs Elias Sanders (6-2, 265) and Michael MacNeill (6-1, 280)… also joining in the spring is JR walk-on Jayden Sandusky (6-1, 260).
• HIT MAN: SO LB Michael Montgomery (6-3, 230) got his career started in a big way, making 14 tackles against Oregon in game one of 2023 – all in the second half. That was the most by any player in the Big Sky Conference on the opening weekend of games. He went on to start five games and ranked second on the Vikings in tackles (69, 3.5 TFL, 1 FR). He was a Freshman All-American by both Stats Perform and FCS Football Central at the end of the season. Still young, Montgomery will lead the linebacker corps along with SR Jaymason Willingham. The Vikings have a very athletic group of sophomores in Peyton Wing (6-0, 210), Jaxton Helmstetler (6-2, 200) and Davin Beason (6-1, 225). RS FR Nate Richter (6-3, 220) will bring excellent size and athleticism as well. JR TR Jordan Allen (6-0, 225), a signee from San Jose State, and walk-on JR JC transfer Chase Beardsley will come in spring and compete for roles.
• TAKEAWAY TYREESE: SR CB Tyreese Shakir (5-10, 175) moves over from the safety position to cornerback for 2024. Shakir and SR CB Michael Jackson (6-2, 185) lead an experienced defensive backfield. With 31 career games and 25 starts behind him, Shakir 122 career tackles, eight career takeaways (5 INT, 3 FR) and nine career pass breakups… Jackson has played in 30 career games and has 14 starts. He has 63 career tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions… another starter back is SO FS Michael Hurst (5-11, 190), who had 51 tackles, four tackles for loss and five pass breakups in his freshman season… depth is not an issue in the defensive backfield as other key players are JR NICK Ezriel Vasquez (5-11, 170), SO CB Duhron Goodman (5-11, 190), SR CB Day Day Bright (5-10, 170) and RS FRs S Zach Wusstig (6-1, 185), NICK Jaden DeCosta (6-1, 195), CB DeMarcus Houston (6-2, 185) and S Isaiah Green (6-1, 180). Goodman, Wusstig, Vasquez and Dacosta all have starts in their careers… walk-on JR Jeffrey Robinson (5-9, 180) will join for spring football.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• FOOTNOTES: Portland State will have a transition in its kicking game in 2024. The Vikings have signed JR P Tony Johnson from College of the Canyons… SO K Fyodor Henrichs-Tarasenkov returns after backing up in 2023… look for an additional transfer signing in the kicking game during the spring.
• GRUBB HUB: SR RB Christian Grubb set a Portland State record last season with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, breaking the old mark of 98 yards. Grubb also had a 60-yard punt return touchdown. He and Quincy Craig are likely candidates to handle the return game in 2024.

TEAM NOTES

THE MATURATION PROCESS

• PSU played 47 freshmen, including 24 redshirt freshmen and 23 true freshmen in 2023. The Vikings had 95 different players participate in at least one game.
• The Vikings well-documented 2023 true freshman class had an impact, particularly on defense where 15 true freshmen played in at least one game, with five getting starts (OL Isaac Perez, S Zach Wusstig, LB Michael Montgomery, NICK Jaden DaCosta and DE Elijah Eason). The true freshman group was rated the best National Letter of Intent class in the Big Sky Conference and third-best at the FCS level after the Feb. 1 signing date by 247Sports.com (18 freshmen, three JCs).

COACHING CHANGES IN 2024

• Co-Defensive Coordinator Mark Rhea now coaching linebacker position group.
• Korey Rush named Defensive Line Coach/Pass Rush Specialist
• Robby Hauck elevated to Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach

NEWCOMERS FOR SPRING

Portland State anticipates having nine new faces on the field when spring practice begins on April 2. Three will be 2024 signees while six are walk-ons.
     
The signees include: JR LB Jordan Allen (San Jose State); JR WR Branden Alvarez (San Jose State); and JR TE Seth Lyon (Saddleback JC).
     
The walk-ons include: JR LB Chase Beardsley (Palomar College); JR QB William Haskell (Washington); JR TE Jahleel Heath (Washington); JR CB Jeffrey Robinson (Arizona); JR DL Jayden Sandusky (College of the Redwoods); and FR WR Eddie Schultz (Cal Poly).
     
The remaining 24 NLI signees will join the program in August.
 

MOST CHALLENGING SCHEDULE IN PROGRAM HISTORY AWAITS

Plain and simple, the 2024 Portland State Football schedule may be the most challenging in program history. And, it may be the most challenging in the nation at the FCS level.
     
The Viking program’s 12-game slate is loaded; loaded with teams that had winning records in 2023, loaded with teams with playoff appearances, and loaded with FBS opponents. In fact, seven of the Vikings’ nine FCS opponents in 2024 finished 2023 nationally-ranked, including six in the top 14, and national finalist Montana.
     
PSU will play five home games and seven road games in 2024 – all against Division I programs. PSU hosts South Dakota (Sept. 14), UC Davis (Oct. 5), Montana State (Oct. 19), Idaho (Nov. 9) and Northern Colorado (Nov. 23) in contests at Hillsboro Stadium.
     
The Vikings go on the road to play at Washington State (Aug. 31), Weber State (Sept. 7), Boise State (Sept. 21), Chattanooga (Sept. 28), Idaho State (Oct. 12), Sacramento State (Nov. 2) and Montana (Nov. 16).
     
Notable are games against Washington State (Aug. 31), which is playing a hybrid Mountain West schedule, and Boise State (Sept. 21), a member of the Mountain West. It will be a second meeting with each of those FBS schools in the past five seasons.
     
PSU also picks up a pair of brand new opponents in South Dakota and Chattanooga. A member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, South Dakota was 10-3 in 2023, reaching the NCAA FCS Quarterfinals. Chattanooga, from the Southern Conference, was 8-5 overall reaching the round of 16 in the FCS Playoffs.
     
The Vikings will play all four Big Sky Conference playoff teams in succession – Montana State, Sacramento State, Idaho and Montana – between Oct. 19 and No. 16. That gives PSU six (!) 2023 FCS playoff teams on its 2024 schedule who had a combined 7-6 record in the post-season.
     
Nine of the 12 opponents had winning records in 2023 with a combined record of 85-64.

 

SCHEDULE NOTES

• 2024 will be the 78th season of Portland State football (1947) and 29th season as a member of the Big Sky Conference (1996).
• PSU faces five teams in 2024 that were on the schedule in 2023 (UC Davis, Idaho State, Montana State, Montana and Northern Colorado)… PSU plays eight of 11 possible Big Sky opponents. The Vikings will miss Cal Poly, Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona in 2024 – all of whom they beat in 2023.
• PSU’s two FBS-level opponents are Washington State and Boise. PSU is 4-48 all-time when playing “up” against FBS programs. Wins have come over Hawai’i (2000), New Mexico (2006), Washington State (2015) and North Texas (2015)… this marks the 10th consecutive season that Portland State has played two FBS op-ponents. PSU has done so a total of 14 times, including three in 2006.
• Final 2023 rankings of PSU’s 2024 opponents (Stats Perform FCS Top 25): Montana (#2), South Dakota (#4), Idaho (#8), Montana State (#9), Sacramento State (#13), Chattanooga (#14), UC Davis (#24).
• The Vikings are 13-8 at Hillsboro Stadium since it became PSU’s full-time home venue for the 2019 season.
• Portland State has won the Dam Cup rivalry trophy game the past two years against Eastern Washington. The Vikings will hold onto the trophy for at least another year as they are not scheduled to face the Eagles again until 2025. 

VIKING TRIVIA

• BUY LOCAL: Portland State has 24 players on the roster from the state of Oregon, plus six others from just across the river and the Vancouver, WA area.
• BEAM ME UP: Portland State has 11 players on its roster that previously were at other Division I schools, seven of those were FBS-level schools.
• STUDENT-ATHLETES: Portland State has three players on its roster that have already earned undergraduate degrees and are working on post-baccalaureate degrees: Dante Chachere, Kennedy Freeman, Christian Grubb
• MORE STUDENT-ATHLETES: SR DE Kennedy Freeman, JR DE Slade Shufelt and SR OL D’Angalo Titialii were named Academic All-District by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team in 2023.
• OH, BROTHER: SR QB Dante Chachere’s brother, Andre, is a cornerback for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
• OH, FATHER: Speaking of the NFL, the Vikings have a pair of players whose fathers had prominent careers in The League. JR LB Jordan Allen is the son of Eric Allen, a 14-year veteran of the NFL (1988-2001) who was a six-time Pro Bowl selection. FR OL Pryce Roberts is the son of Ray Roberts, a first-round draft pick and nine-year veteran of the NFL (1992-2000).
• LEGACY PLAYER: SR WR Travis West is a walk-on from Portland’s Central Catholic High School. Despite being the smallest player on the team (5-6, 160) he has been a contributor during his career. This season he moves from nickelback to wide receiver. West is also a PSU legacy as his late father, Travis West, Sr. was an NCAA II All-American and National Champion wrestler for the Vikings (1989, 1990) and a member of the 1988 US Olympic team. 
• FAMILY AFFAIR: SO OL Braylon Cornell has had a cousin, Jake Porter, play on the Viking Football team (2018-22), another cousin play on the Viking volleyball team, Ellie Snook (2019-22), and two uncles play at PSU, Jamie Snook (basketball, 1996-99) and Jason Porter (baseball, 1991-94).
• FROM THE FIELD TO THE SIDELINE: Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Matt Leunen (OL/TE, 2005-09) is a PSU alum who played for the Vikings… Quarterbacks Coach Kieran McDonagh (2012-15) is also a PSU alum who was recruited by and played for Bruce Barnum.
• VIKINGS’ PRESENCE IN THE NFL: Entering the 2024 season, there have been 33 former Portland State players who have appeared in regular season NFL games. The first: Tom Oberg, DB, Denver Broncos, 1968. Longest career: Neil Lomax, QB, 1981-88; Clint Didier, TE, 1982-89; and Adam Hayward, LB, 2007-14, all played in eight NFL seasons. Hayward played in the most total games (118). Highest draft pick: Neil Lomax, QB, 1981, 2nd round, 33rd pick, St. Louis Cardinals. Total draft picks: 10. Most Touchdowns: Julius Thomas, TE, 2011-17, 36 (receiving). Darick Holmes, RB, 1995-99, 9 (rushing); Neil Lomax, QB, 1981-88, 136 (passing). Head Coach: June Jones (Atlanta Falcons and San Diego Chargers, 1994-98). Super Bowl Champions: Clint Didier, TE (2, 1982, 1987, Washington); DeShawn Shead, CB (2013, Seattle); Ted Popson, TE (1994, San Francisco).
• SUPER PLAYERS: Portland State had a pair of former players meet in the Super Bowl for the first time in history in February 2014. TE Julius Thomas (’10, Denver) and DB DeShawn Shead (’11, Seattle) both played in Super Bowl XLVIII. Shead returned to the Super Bowl in 2015 with the Seahawks. He joins Clint Didier and Ted Popson as former Vikings with Super Bowl rings. Thomas was named a Pro Bowl tight end in 2013 and 2014. In the 2014 off-season, he signed the richest tight end contract in the NFL to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thomas retired in the 2018 off-season after a seven-year career that included 71 games, 226 receptions, 2,406 yards and 36 touchdowns. Shead, a starting corner with the Seahawks in 2016, missed 2017 due to an ACL injury, then signed and played with Detroit in 2018. Shead is now an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins.