CALIFORNIA (June 9) – California University of Pennsylvania senior offensive lineman
Dan Jordan (Tionesta, Pa./Redbank Valley) recently was named a preseason Consensus Draft Services (CDS) Second-Team All-American, while graduate student quarterback
Josh Portis (Woodland Hills, Calif./William H. Taft/Maryland) and junior linebacker
Brett Diamond (Chesterfield, Va./Matoaca) earned All-America Honorable Mention accolades from CDS.
A 6-3, 305-pound guard, Jordan helps anchor one of the most veteran offensive lines in the nation. Last season, the Vulcans allowed less than 25 sacks on over 400 pass attempts and cleared lanes for a rushing attack that averaged over 175 yards per game. Jordan has started 28 games at left guard over the last two seasons and received Third-Team All-American laurels from Don Hansen’s Football Gazette last season. A graduate of Redbank Valley High School, he also is a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First-Team selection while pursuing a degree in sport management.
Portis returns to direct the offense after a record-setting campaign in 2009. In first year with the program, the 6-4 signal-caller established new school records with 3,421 yards and 36 touchdown passes. He also ranked second in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and 19th in NCAA Division II with a 150.04 passing efficiency. Portis also proved to be an elite dual-threat quarterback, as he rushed for nearly 450 yards on less than 100 attempts.
A two-year starter, Diamond set career highs in virtually every category last season while battling injuries. He finished fourth on the team with 64 tackles (35 solo) and tied for the team lead with three interceptions. The 6-2, 230-pound linebacker also registered 8.0 tackles for loss (TFL), 1.5 sacks and three pass break-ups.
Cal U tied for PSAC-best with three players recognized with preseason honors by CDS. A total of 17 standouts in the league received laurels from CDS, highlighted by three First-Team All-Americans.
The trio of Diamond, Jordan and Portis is among the 18 starters returning for the Vulcans in 2010. Cal U opens the season on Saturday, Sept. 4, with a road game against Saginaw Valley (Mich.) with kickoff set for 12 p.m.
CDS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS (PSAC REPRESENTATIVES ONLY)
First Team
K – Craig Burgess, Indiana (Pa.)
LB – Matt Freed, East Stroudsburg
C – Brandon Fusco, Slippery Rock
Second Team
OT – Sam Geldmaker, Gannon
OG – Dan Jordan, California (Pa.)
Honorable Mention
OG – Pat Casey, Bloomsburg
PR – Kendell Coleman, Kutztown
LB – Brett Diamond, California (Pa.)
K – Matt Dineen, Kutztown
DE – Travis Ford-Bey, West Chester
OT – Marcus Fowler, Gannon
KR – Alfonso Hoggard, Clarion
OG – Gabe Johnson-Ciano, Cheyney
C – Kyle O’Neil, West Chester
QB – Josh Portis, California (Pa.)
RB – Derrick Price, Bloomsburg
DB – Oscar Rivera, Bloomsburg