Portland State football kicked off its 2026 preseason on July 29 at Stott Community Field, marking the first official work under new head coach Chris Fisk. Fisk, who previously guided Central Washington to multiple winning seasons, arrived with a clear vision: to reshape the Vikings into a competitive FCS program.
The roster overhaul is stark. Out of 108 players, 67 are newcomers and 41 return from the 2025 squad. That means 70 percent of the team is new, a transition that Fisk says will bring fresh energy and depth.
Among the returning pieces, seven offensive starters are back, providing continuity on that side of the ball. The only defensive starter who returns is linebacker Jaxton Helmstetler, who will anchor a unit looking to rebuild around his experience.
Key returning offensive players include Delon Thompson, Tanner Beaman, Terence Loville, Cru Newman, Jaylen Lynch, Pule Leatigaga, James Minot, and Semisi Latu. Their experience should help the Vikings establish a rhythm early in the season.
A Fresh Look for Portland State Football
The coaching staff has been completely renewed, and the front office now includes a new General Manager. Rashad Floyd, a former Viking All‑American and PSU Athletics Hall of Famer, will oversee personnel and operations, bringing a player‑first perspective to the front office.
The Vikings open the season on August 29 against UC Davis at Hillsboro Stadium. That game will also serve as the first meeting with new Big Sky Conference rivals Utah Tech and Southern Utah, both of which join the conference for the 2026 campaign.
Portland State’s schedule blends three non‑conference matchups with a slate of Big Sky opponents. Notably, the Vikings will not face Montana State, Northern Colorado, or Cal Poly this year, allowing the coaching staff to focus on the teams they will actually meet.
Beyond the field, the program continues to highlight academic excellence. Two players — Jaxton Helmstetler and John‑Keawe Sagapolutele — earned Academic All‑District honors from the College Sports Communicators in 2025.
The Vikings also boast a proud NFL pipeline. In total, 33 former players have appeared in regular‑season NFL games, and a historic milestone came in February 2014 when Julius Thomas and DeShawn Shead met in the Super Bowl.