Portland State’s Only Experienced QB with Dual-Threat Grit in a Youthful Room
Gabe Downing, a 6-0, 183-pound dual-threat quarterback from Olympia, WA, stands out as Portland State’s sole returning QB with game experience in a young, inexperienced 2025 roster [6][7]. Though his pre-game QB rating was 33.8 entering the 2025 North Dakota matchup and he threw 3 interceptions in the BYU opener, Downing showed flashes of mobility and ball movement ability [1][2]. His differentiators include high intensity, a fearless playmaking style honed as a high school record-shatterer, and the resilience of a freshman who appeared in just one 2024 game before becoming the fallback starter [4][8]. While raw statistically, his dual-threat ceiling and leadership in a thin QB room make him a compelling fit for teams seeking an energetic, development-ready signal-caller with upside.
