The second installment of BarnyBall begins today as the Portland State Football program has signed its National Letter of Intent class for 2016.
Head Coach Bruce Barnum and his staff have signed 16 student-athletes, 13 of whom are out of high school and three of whom are transfers.
Barnum, who led Portland State to a 9-3 season and top-10 national ranking in his first year in 2015, has signed a talented, athletic and physically impressive group that is defensive heavy.
“The priorities for this recruiting class were safeties, defensive ends and linebackers,” said Barnum, the 2015 FCS National Coach of the Year. “If we can stop em, we have a chance. Because if you have a really good defense, you can win 2-nothing.
“If we had any extra scholarships this year, we knew they were going to the defense.”
| Letter of Intent Bio | POS | YR | HGT• WGT | Hometown (Schools Attended) | Video |
| Kenton Bartlett# | LB | FR | 6-3 • 235 | Boise, ID (Centennial HS) | Highlights |
| Montre Brown | CB | FR | 6-1 • 180 | Tacoma, WA (Wilson HS) | Highlights |
| Dylan Hanley | LB | FR | 6-3 • 225 | Grants Pass, OR (Grants Pass HS) | Highlights |
| Mason Vega | LB | FR | 6-3 • 220 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Los Osos HS) | Highlights |
| Daniel Giannosa | TE | FR | 6-8 • 250 | Modesto, CA (Big Valley Christian HS) | Highlights |
| Anthony Del Toro | DT | FR | 6-2 • 285 | Grants Pass, OR (Grants Pass HS) | Highlights |
| AJ Ruffin | TE | FR | 6-5 • 250 | Tacoma, WA (Wilson HS) | Highlights |
| Avery Jones | LB | FR | 6-3 • 200 | Sherwood, OR (Valley Catholic HS) | Highlights |
| Korbin Sorensen | OL | FR | 6-6 • 275 | Kennewick, WA (Kamiakin HS) | Highlights |
| Moustapha Toure | OL | FR | 6-6 • 310 | Abidjan, Ivory Coast (Horizon Christian HS) | Highlights |
| Davis Alexander | QB | FR | 5-11 • 180 | Gig Harbor, WA (Gig Harbor HS) | Highlights |
| Ryan Wood# | DB | JR | 6-2 • 195 | Peoria, AZ (Sunrise Mountain HS/Glendale CC) | Highlights |
| Chris Hayes*# | S | JR | 6-1 • 185 | Los Angeles, CA (Westlake HS/Oregon State) | Highlights |
| Tommy Laverde | OL | FR | 6-5 • 285 | Portland, OR (Lincoln HS) | Highlights |
| Steffen Jacobsen | S | FR | 6-2 • 200 | Portland, OR (Wilson HS) | Highlights |
| Taylor Biaggi# | S/LB | JR | 6-2 • 205 | Windsor, CA (Windsor HS/Santa Rosa JC) | Highlights |
* aid agreement signee • # will participate in spring football
The Vikings signed 10 defensive players and six offensive players in the class of 16. Portland State is scheduled to return 48 letterwinners in 2016. Fifteen starters are back, eight on offense, five on defense and two on special teams.
“I was honored, along with this staff, to be given a long-term contract. So now we can build (with freshmen). The foundation is there. We offered 16 guys in the state of Oregon. They didn’t all come, but that was where we started, because I knew we wanted high school guys. And we didn’t venture very far, because I knew I wanted guys from the northwest. That is our primary area. We did get a few guys from other places, but this is our hunting ground. We didn’t get them all, but at some point people will want to come to Portland State.”
Transfers Taylor Biaggi (S/LB), Chris Hayes (S, Oregon State) and Ryan Wood (DB) will all compete to play right away in the defensive backfield.
“Biaggi is a safety-linebacker hybrid. Where are you going to put him?” said Barnum. “He is a nickel-adjuster guy. He’s fast, got surprise speed. Both Biaggi and Hayes strike like Peanut (Patrick Onwuasor) for their size. They are smart, savvy football players who I am glad found their home here, because it was a position of need for us in recruiting.”
Defensive tackle Anthony Del Toro from Grants Pass fills an immediate need in the middle of the line for the Vikings.
“Anthony jumped ahead of many because of his body and how he works in the weight room. He has a great first step and wants to be great on the football field,” said Barnum
Portland State picked up a number of linebackers, but also have a variety of players able to move around to safety or even into a defensive end role.
Among other freshman defensive players, Kenton Bartlett, Mason Vega, Dylan Hanley, Avery Jones, Montre Brown and Steffen Jacobsen all have great size, versatility and athleticism.
Speaking of size, the Vikings added great size up front on offense. Linemen Tommy Laverde (6-5, 285), Korbin Sorensen (6-6, 275) and Moustapha Toure (6-6, 310) will have great futures in the Viking offense.
“We have some offensive tackles in this group that I love, and we have filled our needs for the future there,” said Barnum. “We needed some guys on the edge of the offensive line. We got tall, long, great feet athletes in these guys.”
Also poised to make a difference up front are a pair of the biggest tight ends the Vikings have had in a long time. AJ Ruffin (6-5, 250) and Daniel Giannosa (6-8, 250) are freshman that Barnum believes will make a big impact on the program.
PSU also signed quarterback Davis Alexander from Gig Harbor, WA. An All-State performer, Alexander has that pass-run combo that Barnum has made so dangerous in the Viking offense in recent seasons.
“He is a perfect fit to our offense. Davis has got a big arm. He is accurate, he can throw on the run and move. That is the one position we can’t miss on.”
THE SIGNING CLASS
Davis Alexander, QB, 5-11, 180, FR, Gig Harbor, WA (Gig Harbor HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “He is a perfect fit to our offense. He is not a big, 6-6 pocket passer, but neither are we on offense. Davis has got a big arm. He is accurate, he can throw on the run and move. That is the one position we can’t miss on. I need Davis to come in here and compete for a spot. An excellent player.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football at Gig Harbor High School… was a two-time Narrows League Most Valuable Player… Tacoma News Tribune first team All-State and All-Area Player of the Year… two-time Tacoma Athletic Commission Athlete of the Year… four-time outstanding scholar-athlete at GHHS.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Matt and Natalie Alexander… born October 20, 1998… has one brother, Dillon… plans ot major in Business… hobbies are leadership, lifting weights, basketball and tennis.
Kenton Bartlett, LB, 6-3, 235, FR, Boise, ID (Centennial HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “The defensive player of the year where he came from. Kenton had multiple offers. He has the tools to play right now. He has a mature body, but he is a freshman and we will see how he fits in the program. Kenton really filled a need we had on defense. We found the best one in the state of Idaho.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
A four-year letterwinner in football at Centennial High School… was named the Southern Idaho Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior… first team All-State… second team All-Conference as a tight end… team MVP on defense… made 93 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, nine sacks and scored three defensive touchdowns… also lettered twice in basketball.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Steve and Gail Bartlett… born May 29, 1998… undecided major… hobbies are video games and hanging out with friends.
Taylor Biaggi, S/LB, 6-2, 205, JR, Windsor, CA (Windsor HS/Santa Rosa JC)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “We need some guys to be able to play right away and Taylor is one of those guys. He has sneaky speed and he is physically ready for the Big Sky. A very focused, no-nonsense personality. He shows a humility that I love.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Played two years at Santa Rosa Junior College… earned the Commitment To Excellence Award… had 54 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups and returned an interception for touchdown as a sophomore… competed in two bowl games… earned two Associate Degrees.
Lettered twice in football at Windsor High School… his senior season the team was 14-0, winning first-ever league championship and section championship… named first team All-League and second team All-Metro… league Defensive MVP… team Defensive MVP and Lineman of the Year… team captain… also lettered in wrestling… team Most Improved.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Thia Brooks and Frank Biaggi… born October 5, 1993… has three brothers, Ian, Austin and Christian… majoring in Communications… hobbies are hunting, fishing and horseback riding.
Montre Brown, CB, 6-1, 180, FR, Tacoma, WA (Wilson HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “Montre is long, fast and athletic. He is a basketball player who has not played a lot of football. He is not a project, just a superb athlete who is going to help us out on defense.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football, basketball and track at Wilson High School… named first team All-League as a senior and selected to the Seattle Times Top 100 players list… lettered four times in basketball, twice being named Defensive Player of the Year… team was district champions three times making it to the state tournament… also lettered in track, competing in the 200 meters, 800 meters and high jump.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Tara and Michael Lofton… born September 8, 1997… has one brother, Markese… would like to major in Engineering… a pilot student at the Pacific West Aerospace Academy in the Beyond The Clouds program… would like to go into the Air Force and have a career in aviation.
Anthony Del Toro, DT, 6-2, 285, FR, Grants Pass, OR (Grants Pass HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “Comes from a great program. The transition will be easy for him coming here and he fills a need for us at defensive tackle. Anthony jumped ahead of many because of his body and how he works in the weight room. Has a great first step and wants to be great on the football field.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football four times at Grants Pass High School… named first team All-State defensive tackles as a junior and a senior… was Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team All-Conference both seasons.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Federico and Terri Del Toro… born November 18, 1997… has two sisters, Emily and Cristina… would like to major in Physical Therapy.
Daniel Giannosa, TE, 6-8, 250, FR, Modesto, CA (Big Valley Christian HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “A coach’s kid. And he has tools you can’t coach with his size. For a guy that size, he has great leverage. Daniel wasn’t recruited probably as much as he should have been.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football four times and basketball three times at Big Valley Christian High School… an All-Conference and All-Region tight end as a senior… All-Conference tight end and defensive end as a junior… was Team MVP both seasons… a four-year scholar-athlete.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Tim and Kris Giannosa… born May 13, 1998… has a brother, Tim… would like to major in Sociology… very involved in his church in his spare time.
Dylan Hanley, LB, 6-3, 225, FR, Grants Pass, OR (Grants Pass HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “Dylan is one of the best athletes in the state of Oregon. He will really help us on defense. Dylan is fast, focused and loves football. It helps too that he comes from a great program.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered three times in football and track and once in basketball at Grants Pass High School… named second team All-Conference as a linebacker and a quarterback his senior season… a team captain… was the GPHS Male Athlete of the Year in 2015… also the Male Track Athlete of the Year as his team won the state championship… placed third in state in the javelin and shot put… a three-year member of the National Honor Society.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Geary and Stacy Hanley… born December 16, 1997… has one brother, Chase, and one sister, Jennifer… would like to major in History or Architecture… hobbies include fishing, camping, snowboarding, video games, watching football with friends, church youth group and voluntary missionary work.
Chris Hayes, S, 6-1, 185, JR, Los Angeles, CA (Westlake HS/Oregon State)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “Malik (Roberson) had a history with him and that helped in the recruiting. We had a need at safety and Chris fills that need. I love his personality. He is lovable off the field and one of the hardest hitting guys one the field.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Spent two years on the scout team at Oregon State… a three-time letterwinner and two-year starter at Westlake High School.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Chris and Aran Hayes… born July 30, 1995… has two brothers, Isaiah, JJ, and one sister, Asia… father Chris spent 10 years playing in the NFL for Green Bay, the New York Jets and New England Patriots.
Steffen Jacobsen, S, 6-2, 200, FR, Portland, OR (Wilson HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “Steffen will hit you. He is aggressive and fast, and can make up for mistakes with his athleticism. He is really the foundation of what we want on our football team.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Named first team All-PIL as a junior and a senior… made 107 tackles in nine games as a senior… team captain and Defensive MVP… also competed in wrestling, track, lacrosse and baseball… a state qualifier in wrestling.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Bernt and Julie Jacobsen… born October 25, 1997… has one brother, Matthew, and one sister, Lea… intends to major in Finance or Accounting… hobbies are skiing, snowboarding, hunting and mock trial… would like to be a strength and conditioning coach or a CPA.
Avery Jones, LB, 6-3, 200, FR, Sherwood, OR (Valley Catholic HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “Avery is another guy who brings a lot of basketball athleticism to the football field. He had a great senior season as a local guy from a small school who may have been a little overlooked. Avery is a fast, durable athlete who is aggressive. He can hit, and has make-up speed. I love his mentality toward the game.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered three times in football and twice in basketball in high school… competed at Sherwood as a sophomore, then Valley Catholic as a junior and senior… two-time first team All-Cowapa League linebacker… two-time team defensive MVP… state runner-up as a sophomore at Sherwood… team captain for both football and basketball.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Melissa and Melvin Jones… born July 23, 1998… has one brother, Alex… would like to major in Business… hobbies are sports, music and hanging out with friend and family.
Tommy Laverde, OL, 6-5, 285, FR, Portland, OR (Lincoln HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “Tommy is one of the most unique student-athletes that will ever be brought to this university. His personality is a hit and he has the size to be a hell of an offensive lineman. He even did a nice job recruiting for us, he loves Portland State. A great signing for us.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered three times in football at Lincoln High School… an All-PIL offensive lineman, he was named honorable mention All-State as a senior… a two-year starter on the offensive line, his team was 11-1 as a senior… also competed in basketball and track.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Bill and Julie Laverne… born January 8, 1988… has two brothers, Sam and Caleb…. would like to major in Business Management and have a professional career in Portland… hobbies are movies, basketball, reading and activities with friends.
AJ Ruffin, TE, 6-5, 250, FR, Tacoma, WA (Wilson HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “A very highly recruited athlete out of Washington. Kudos to my staff on recruiting him. One of the reasons AJ is coming here is the people – the staff, our team. He had a lot of choices in the game of recruiting, but he liked what Portland State is becoming on the football field.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Narrows League Most Valuable Player… named first team All-State as a defensive end… had 12 sacks as a senior… also earned league MVP, 1st team All-Area… All-City as a defensive end and tight end… led team to the playoffs as a junior and senior… also lettered in track and basketball… went to state in track and set the freshman record for the shot put.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Armand Ruffin Sr., and Christine DuBois… born July 24, 1998… would like to get into Sports Medicine and Education… volunteers with the Special Olympics… has a goal to reach the NFL, as well as teach or coach in the future.
Korbin Sorensen, OL, 6-6, 275, FR, Kennewick, WA (Kamiakin HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “A very highly recruited student-athlete who committed to us late because he had a lot of choices. Our staff really showed him who we are as a program. He likes the “BarnyBall” motto and lives by it. Korbin is a great offensive lineman.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football three times at Kamiakin High School… named first team All-State as a senior… Kamiakin’s offensive line was named “Line of the Year” by the conference… first team All-Conference and All-Area as a junior and senior… also lettered in track, competing in the shot put.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Marie Bowie and Scott Peterson… born April 16, 1998… has one brother, Luke Sorensen, and one sister, Stacia Peterson… intends to major in Business Finance… hobbies include skiing, hiking, fishing and the outdoors, as well as video games and helping at the Kamiakin youth football camp.
Moustapha Toure, OL, 6-6, 310, FR, Abidjan, Ivory Coast (Horizon Christian (OR) HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “Another vibrant personality that you fall in love with as soon as you meet him. He has a unique background. Moustapha followed our season, loved our team, our players and the excitement around the program. You can’t coach who he is athletically. He is a force on the football field, but that is so secondary to kind of kid he is.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football all four years at Horizon Christian High School in Tualatin… earned second team All-State as a senior.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Gaoussou Toure and Massogbe Diabate Toure… born August 25, 1997… has five sisters, Amy, Mariam, Sarata, Ahoua and Fanta… plans to major in Business Administration… hobbies include music, family, God, respect, ambition and dedication… competed in soccer as a youth in Ivory Coast, winning three league championships… wants to one day to be the CEO of his own family business.
Mason Vega, LB, 6-3, 220, FR, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Los Osos HS)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “Mason is a blue-collar player on the field. We love his motor and how he plays the game. His attitude is fantastic. If everyone looked and acted like Mason out there, Portland State will be very good for a long time.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
Lettered in football at Los Osos High School… had 48 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks as a senior… named second team All-League… earned the Iron Man Award… a scholar-athlete… also lettered in basketball.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Anthony and Annabell Vega… born October 24, 1998… has one sister, Sabrina… would like to major in Psychology… career goal is to work in law enforcement… hobbies include eating, going to the gym, going to the beach, and playing basketball.
Ryan Wood, DB, 6-2, 195, JR, Peoria, AZ (Sunrise Mountain HS/Glendale CC)
COACH BARNUM SAYS: “One of the toughest kids in this recruiting class. He will hit and play physical. He really approaches the game with a toughness that will be a great addition to what we are already doing here.”
PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE
A two-year starter at Glendale Community College… also a team captain.
Started three years at Sunrise Mountain High School… as a senior named first team All-State by scout.com… also first team All-District and All-Section… Defensive Most Valuable Player… as a junior was first team All-Section and team Defensive MVP… also competed in track.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Son of Mark and Anita Wood… born October 25, 1995… has three brothers, Kyle, Tyler and Wyatt… Business major… hobbies are basketball, hiking and fishing.
Press release courtesy of Mike Lund – PSU Athletics. All Rights Reserved.
