Football News and Notes: Fine Tuning the Roster

--The OSU Sports Information Department released the new online, interactive media guide yesterday. Soon, I'm guessing, you will be able to find all the media guides for the sports who are in-season at iamorangemags.com. But for now, it's just football. I still like to have the paper version in front of me, but the new online guide provides some cool features like interviews, as well as all the bios and stats you would expect from a media guide. Check it out!

--Cliff Kirkpatrick outlines some roster adjustments in his blog and in his print article in Thursday's Gazette-Times. Nothing shocking, but a few notes of interest:

--defensive tackle Jesse Fifita’s playing career is over due to spinal stenosis

--linebacker recruit Michael Doctor will greyshirt due to academics.

--Possible incoming defensive back Kyrell Hudson has not yet signed a pro baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, and has until Major League Baseball’s signing deadline of Aug. 17. If he doesn’t sign, Hudson will greyshirt so he can get his academics in order.

--Justin Engstrom, who found himself buried at the quarterback position, has transfered to Portland State

The news regarding Fifita must be devastating to a man with so much promise and potential left as a college football player. He was expected to be in the mix on the defensive line as only a redshirt freshman, but the injuries were just too much. Jesse is a guy who only played two games in his senior year of high school due to a season injury. It's sad to see his career come to an end due to yet another injury.

Hopefully Doctor and Hudson can get their acedemics figured out. Both guys, especailly Hudson, could make a big difference moving forward.

Engstrom seemed like a viable backup behind Canfield and Moevao last season, but just became buried this off-season with the addition of Peter Lalich and the continued maturation of Ryan Katz. His chances of receiving a scholarship were becoming bleak, let alone a shot at much playing time.

Check out Cliff's blog for some other minor notes regarding personell.

--John Brewington of the South County Spotlight has a feature on Justin Engstrom, and decision to transfer to Portland State. He won't be on a full-ride scholarship at PSU, but he'll get some money towards his education:

Engstrom will be a sophomore at PSU, and while there are a number of other quarterbacks on the Vikings roster, projected starter Tygue Holland is out with a knee injury.

The newest Viking enrolled at Portland State this week, and was to sign scholarship papers by midweek. "I'll be getting tuition and books, which is the biggest part of it for me," he said.

Engstrom wasn't feeling the love at Oregon State. He was listed as No. 3 on the depth chart last season, but only played in three games. It was just one play in one of those and "clean-up time" in the others.

PSU Head Coach Jerry Glanville said Monday afternoon he couldn't confirm Engstrom was coming to PSU just yet, but said it seemed the direction things were heading. Glanville said he saw a video of Engstrom playing in the OSU spring game.

It's obviosuly good for Justin to get an opportunity to contribute at another school, but it's tough to see a player who has been dedicated to a program as a walk-on leave after getting pushed off the bottom of the depth chart.

--Also from Cliff comes the near-devastating news that offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf had to receive 11 stitches and has two black eyes from a boat-related accident-- A winch slammed into his face. Mike Riley continues to recover from the Achilles injury he suffered jogging.

Riley, on Langsdorf: “I get chills thinking about what might have been there."

Riley, on himself: "That's pretty bad when you get hurt jogging."

--Set those DVR's! Big news on the publicity front as Mike Riley will be making an appearance on Jim Rome is Burning tomorrow from Reser Stadium. He'll be on ESPN around 1:30 p.m. Craig Robinson made an appearance on the show back in early March.

--This isn't really football related, but Jason has some new pictures up over on his blog of the Gill Coliseum paint project. Seems to be coming along nicely.

Only one more weekend to get through before fall camp begins!

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)