Portland State’s undersized, high-motor linebacker with a real local football pedigree
In the 2026 season, Solomon McDaniel is a junior linebacker for Portland State at 5-foot-11, 225 pounds, with a promising developmental profile after a redshirt 2025 season and a steady climb from Lewis & Clark, where he logged 20 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss as a sophomore and 13 tackles, 2.5 TFL, two sacks and a pass breakup as a freshman. He brings toughness, versatility and production, plus a local-winning background from Central Catholic’s state-title teams. He looks like a fit for a defense that values effort, instincts and compact leverage over pure size.
