San Diego State opens its first season as a Pac-12 member Saturday night against FCS opponent Portland State at Snapdragon Stadium.
The Vikings already have a game behind them, falling 31-24 to UC Davis.
Here’s a look at five potential NFL prospects to watch:
**Lucky Sutton, RB, San Diego State, Sr.**
Sutton enters the season as one of the Aztecs’ most established NFL prospects. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Cathedral Catholic High School product rushed for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns on 254 carries last season, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors and becoming a Doak Walker Award semifinalist. His NFL appeal begins with a pro-ready frame, contact balance and the ability to handle volume between the tackles. The next step is showing more explosiveness and three-down versatility. Scouts will want to see Sutton create “chunk” plays when blocking isn’t perfect and become a more consistent factor as a receiver and pass protector.
**Tano Letuli, LB, San Diego State, Sr.**
Availability will be as important as production for Letuli this season. The 6-2, 240-pound Cathedral Catholic graduate began his career at Army before transferring home and earning honorable mention All-Mountain West recognition the past two years. He led SDSU with 70 tackles in 2024 before injuries limited him to six starts and 30 tackles last season. Letuli plays with good instincts and arrives with force downhill, but NFL teams increasingly demand linebackers who can stay on the field in passing situations. Showing improved range, coverage awareness and durability will strengthen his chances of playing on Sundays.
**Cru Newman, WR/KR, Portland State, So.**
Newman may have the clearest NFL calling card of Portland State’s prospects: special teams. The 6-0, 185-pound former quarterback was Oregon’s Class 6A Offensive Player of the Year at Central Catholic before moving to receiver and returner. He generated 1,041 all-purpose yards last season and earned Freshman All-America recognition. Newman opened 2026 with seven catches for 66 yards against UC Davis and returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown. His return ability, open-field vision and versatility give him time to develop into more than a specialist.
**Delon Thompson, RB, Portland State, Jr.**
The 5-9, 200-pound Thompson was a freshman All-American in 2024. He led the Vikings with 662 rushing yards and seven touchdowns last season while catching 22 passes for 217 yards and another score. He opened this season with 48 rushing yards and four receptions for 33 yards against UC Davis. Thompson lacks prototype size, making receiving ability and pass protection especially important to his evaluation. His compact build, balance and versatility could give him a path as a rotational back.
**Terence Loville, WR, Portland State, Sr.**
Loville transferred from San Jose State after three seasons and led Portland State with 517 receiving yards on 33 catches last year. The 6-0, 185-pound senior produced four receptions of at least 46 yards, evidence of the vertical speed that gives him his best chance to attract NFL attention. His uncle, Derek Loville, played running back in the NFL and won three Super Bowls — one with the 49ers and two with the Broncos. For the younger Loville, the question is whether he can turn speed into consistent separation against higher-level defensive backs. This game provides an opportunity to do exactly that.