PSU WR Granted Another Year of Eligibility by the NCAA

Kirkland originally signed with UNLV and spent 2002 as a redshirt with the Rebels.

Portland State wide receiver Tremayne Kirkland Photo: Portland State Athletics

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland State wide receiver Tremayne Kirkland has been granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA and will be able to play for the Viking football team in 2007.

Kirkland, a 5-11, 165-pound senior from Sacramento, had petitioned the NCAA for the extra year at the conclusion of the 2006 season.

The okay by the NCAA gives Kirkland a sixth year to complete his four years of participation in collegiate athletics.

Under normal circumstances, athletes are given five years to complete four years of competition.

The additional year was granted because Kirkland had played competitively in just three of the past five seasons. He originally signed with UNLV and spent 2002 as a redshirt with the Rebels.

As a redshirt freshman in 2003, Kirkland led the Mountain West Conference in punt returns. But, a shoulder separation forced him to miss the 2004 season.

Since Kirkland had already used a redshirt year, his sophomore season initially counted against him.

Then, Kirkland caught 28 passes and ran with the ball 20 times for UNLV in 2005 before transferring to Portland State.

In 2006, Kirkland led the Vikings in pass receptions (38) and receiving touchdowns (7) despite missing one game with injury. He totaled 533 yards receiving yards to rank second on the Vikings. He also rushed seven times for 24 yards and completed one pass for a 42-yard touchdown against Cal.

The return of Kirkland in 2007 was a piece of good news for a transitioning Viking football program. With new Head Coach Jerry Glanville, and the return of the Run-and-Shoot behind offensive coordinator Mouse Davis, Kirkland figures to improve his receiving numbers as well as improve the team's depth in a four-receiver set.

"He is probably the fastest receiver we have," said Davis. "He can make people miss."

A sixth year of eligibility is not unprecedented at Portland State.

All-Conference cornerback Reynard Carrie (2001-04) was granted an extra year by the NCAA after shoulder injuries kept him out for two seasons.

Portland State football players Eric Azorr and Mu'Ammar Ali are also petitioning the NCAA for additional years of eligibility.

Azorr has been the Vikings' starting kicker the past three seasons and had 14 field goals in 2006.

Ali led the Vikings in rushing in 2006, carrying 129 times for 589 yards and three touchdowns despite playing in just six games.

Adding comments to these stories has been disabled. View the current sports stories Salem-News Sports