Former Viking signs with CFL team

Portland State’s All-American cornerback Rashad Floyd has signed a one-year contract to play for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.

“They are giving me an opportunity to do my thing,” Floyd stated in a press release. “They said I would play cornerback, return punts and kicks and maybe even play some receiver. It’s a wider field, so returns would be big for me.”

Versatility is nothing new for Floyd, who played all of those roles for PSU from 1997-2000. Last season he was named first team All-Big Sky Conference for a second straight season. Floyd was also named Associated Press second team All-American.

Over his four-year campaign as a Viking, Floyd had 214 tackles, broke up 32 passes and recovered three fumbles. His 16 interceptions ranks third all-time at PSU. Floyd returned 25 kickoffs for a 21.9 yard average and 44 punts for a 5.7 average in his career. Floyd also lettered on the Portland State men’s basketball team during his freshman and junior seasons.

Originally from DeLaSalle High School (Concord, Calif.), the four-year letter winner racked up 68 tackles, five interceptions and scored three defensive touchdowns for PSU’s NCAA 1-AA playoff team last fall. Floyd was named National Player of the Week after scoring two touchdowns in the Vikings’ 42-10 win over Northern Arizona.

“My ultimate goal is to one day play in the NFL,” Floyd said. “I think the CFL will get me prepared to do that.”

Floyd will travel to Hamilton, Ontario on June 9 for preseason camp. The Tiger-Cats first preseason game in June 22, with the regular season opener on July 6 at Saskatchewan.