Six Vikings NFL bound

Players from over 100 schools were selected at the NFL Draft this past weekend, with obscure programs such as Coastal Carolina, Washburn and Bentley, all making the cut.

Portland State had zero players selected over the course of the two-day, 252-pick draft.

But there may be at least six Vikings on NFL rosters once the season kicks off in September, because a half-dozen Portland State players were signed as undrafted free agents following this weekend’s NFL Draft.

The throng of Portland State players includes center Brennan Carvalho, linebacker Jordan Senn, quarterback Brian White, fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin, defensive end Casey Tyler and right tackle Daren Heerspink.

Carvalho, a two-time consensus first-team All-American, signed with the Green Bay Packers. At 6 feet 5 inches tall and 310 pounds, Carvalho earned the Rimington Award as the nation’s top center last season.

Optimistic about his chances of making the Packers’ roster because the player immediately ahead of him on the depth chart at center is a converted guard, Carvalho is confident of his abilities.

“I’m excited,” Carvalho said. “I just want to show the coach what I can do.”

Not quite as decorated as Carvalho, Senn was arguably the best all-around player on the Portland State defense a year ago. Senn, an Academic All-American, honorable mention All-American and All-Conference linebacker, will get his shot with one of the NFL’s perennial powerhouses, the Indianapolis Colts.

At 5 feet 11 inches tall and 235 pounds, Senn is a bit undersized by NFL standards. However, linebackers of his stature, like the Cowboys’ Zach Thomas, have enjoyed success playing on Sundays.

Coming off an injury-shortened season, White will look to slide onto the Raiders’ 53-man roster, which could be feasible considering Oakland’s lack of quality quarterback play in recent years. Last season, the 6-foot-5 signal caller completed 175 passes for 2,717 yards and 10 touchdowns.

A year ago, Sobomehin was the Vikings’ No. 1 threat in the backfield, both running and catching the ball. In the Big Easy, the former Portland State fullback will get a chance to play alongside a talent capable of doing both running and receiving at a high level-the Saints’ Reggie Bush.

Tyler has the frame at 6 feet 6 inches, 310 pounds to stack up with some of the best defensive ends in the NFL. He will get his shot with the New England Patriots, a team that flirted with the first ever perfect 19-0 season before losing in the Super Bowl in February.

Joining first overall selection Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long in Miami, Heerspink was a two-and-a-half year starter for the Vikings and earned All-Big Sky Conference honors for the second season in a row last year.

Portland State players signed as undrafted free agents

Brennan Carvalho CenterGreen Bay Packers

Jordan SennLinebackerIndianapolis Colts

Brian WhiteQuarterbackOakland Raiders

Olaniyi SobomehinFullbackNew Orleans Saints

Casey TylerDefensive endNew England Patriots

Daren Heerspink Right tackleMiami Dolphins