Josh Portis

Portis grew up in Woodland Hills in Los Angeles, California with his mother Patricia Portis. He initially attended Redondo Union High School, where he played junior varsity for one year. After his mother had a disagreement with the head coach over playing time, Portis transferred to Long Beach Polytechnic High School, and then again to William Howard Taft High School.[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2005/12/10/freshman-qb-portis-set-to-leave-uf/ Freshman QB Portis set to leave UF; Guided by his influential mother, Josh Portis again plans to change schools], The Orlando Sentinel, December 10, 2005. At Taft, he was a two-year letter-winner at quarterback. He threw for 2,294 yards, 36 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, and ran for 865 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a senior, he was named an all-state player, league offensive player of the year, and a Los Angeles first-team all-city player. Scout.com assessed him as the fifth-best dual-threat quarterback in the nation. He was highly recruited out of high school and received offers from Florida, Maryland, Kansas State, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah, and Washington.[http://hscalifornia.scout.com/a.z?s=153&p=8&c=1&nid=1212269 Josh Portis Profile], Scout.com, retrieved January 11, 2009.

Portis attended college at Florida for one season and saw action in six games. In 2005, he made six out of 11 completions for 81 yards. He threw one interception and was sacked three times. He was Florida's fourth-leading rusher with 163 yards on 24 carries. He transferred to Maryland in 2006 and was required by NCAA rules to sit out for a season.[https://archive.today/20120717170749/http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012606aac.html Portis Transfers to Maryland], University of Maryland Terrapins football official website, January 26, 2006, retrieved January 12, 2009. In 2007, he was caught cheating on an exam and suspended for the season under the university's honor code policy.[https://www.espn.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/1423/maryland-backup-qb-to-transfer Maryland backup QB to transfer], ESPN, January 7, 2009.[http://www.diamondbackonline.com/2.2795/student-outlines-portis-incident-1.284824 Student outlines Portis incident] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613212116/http://www.diamondbackonline.com/2.2795/student-outlines-portis-incident-1.284824 |date=June 13, 2011 }}, The Diamondback, September 5, 2007. In 2008, Portis mostly substituted for starting quarterback Chris Turner for one option play at a time. He completed one of three pass attempts for four yards and made 31 carries for 186 rushing yards and a touchdown.[http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/stats?playerId=169623 Josh Portis Stats]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ESPN, retrieved January 12, 2009. Portis' playing time decreased throughout the season, with him seeing action on just eight plays in the last half of the season.[http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scourse/2008/Dec/17/the-portis-breakdown-revisited/ The Portis breakdown, revisited] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102103042/http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scourse/2008/Dec/17/the-portis-breakdown-revisited/ |date=January 2, 2009 }}, The Washington Times, December 17, 2008, retrieved January 12, 2009.

On January 7, 2009, it was announced that Portis would transfer to California University of Pennsylvania in the spring semester.Heather Dinich, [http://myespn.go.com/blogs/acc/0-3-506/Maryland-backup-QB-to-transfer.html Maryland backup QB to transfer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208212014/http://myespn.go.com/blogs/acc/0-3-506/Maryland-backup-QB-to-transfer.html |date=February 8, 2009 }}, ESPN, January 7, 2009, retrieved January 12, 2009. Since the school competes at the Division II level, he had two years of eligibility remaining with the California Vulcans.[http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_uf/2009/04/former-gator-qbs-newton-portis-try-to-start-over.html Former Gator QBs Newton, Portis try to start over] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502122623/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_uf/2009/04/former-gator-qbs-newton-portis-try-to-start-over.html |date=May 2, 2009 }}, Orlando Sentinel, April 29, 2009. He started the season-opener, in which eighth-ranked California lost to unranked {{cfb link|year=2009|team=Saginaw Valley State Cardinals|school=Saginaw Valley State University|title=Saginaw Valley State}}, 23–17, and recorded 14 completions on 31 attempts for 145 yards and two interceptions,[http://www.calvulcans.com/news/2009/8/27/FB_0827093151.aspx No. 8 Vulcans fall to Saginaw Valley, 23-17], California University of Pennsylvania, August 27, 2009. and led the team in rushing with 12 carries for 82 yards. In that one game, he exceeded his previous combined career pass attempts of 14.Patrick Stevens, [http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scourse/2009/aug/27/paging-portis/ Paging Portis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830172942/http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/d1scourse/2009/aug/27/paging-portis/ |date=August 30, 2009 }}, The Washington Times, August 27, 2009. After dropping the second game, 17-10, to sixth-ranked Bloomsburg University, Portis turned his team around and threw for 202 yards in a 30-23 Cal U win over West Chester University.[http://www.calvulcans.com/news/2009/9/12/FB_0912095116.aspx?path=football Vulcans claim win at West Chester], California University of Pennsylvania, September 12, 2009. Portis now leads the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with 18 touchdown passes, a passer rating of 179.4, and led the Vulcans to their 5th straight PSAC West Championship.[http://www.psacsports.org/custompages/football/fbstats09/html/confonly.htm#conf.wt2 2009 PSAC Football Leaders], Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, retrieved October 16, 2011. In the Division II semifinals against second-ranked Northwest Missouri State, Portis completed 20 of 36 pass attempts for a career-high of 367 yards and three touchdowns, but California fell, 56–31.[http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/sports/s_656736.html Bearcats finish off Cal U's season] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120910121744/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/sports/s_656736.html |date=September 10, 2012 }}, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 7, 2009. Upon the conclusion of the season, Portis had set school records with 3,421 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and 3,870 total offensive yards. He declined to enter the 2010 NFL draft, and said, "I think my best chance at the pros is to stay at California another year."[http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/s_659550.html Cal won't lose Portis to NFL]{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 26, 2009. In 2010, Portis was charged with theft, receiving stolen property, and fraud for using a stolen credit card at a mall near Pittsburgh.[http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/college/s_713860.html Cal U standout Portis gets deal in theft case] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120912014621/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/college/s_713860.html |date=September 12, 2012 }}, The Valley Independent, December 15, 2010.

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 2 7/8

| weight = 211

| dash = 4.69

| ten split = 1.71

| twenty split = 2.79

| shuttle = 4.12

| cone drill = 6.84

| vertical = 40.0

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 6

| arm span = 34 1/8

| hand span = 9 3/8

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/josh-portis/3200504f-5280-0817-426a-fc01efa4ea1b |title=Josh Portis Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=March 5, 2023}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=56621&DraftYear=2011 |title=2011 Draft Scout Josh Portis, California (PA) NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |access-date=March 5, 2023 |website=draftscout.com}}

}}

Portis was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent following the 2011 NFL draft on July 26, 2011. He made the Seahawks roster on September 3 behind starter Tarvaris Jackson. On August 11, 2011, against the Chargers, he went 5 for 6 for 69 yards and 1 touchdown in a preseason win. Portis was cut by the Seahawks on August 31, 2012 and signed to their practice squad on September 1, 2012.{{cite web|last=Benne|first=Jon|title=Josh Portis released from Practice Squad|url=http://www.fieldgulls.com/2012/11/27/3699522/josh-portis-released|publisher=Field Gulls|access-date=November 28, 2012}} He was then again released from the Seahawks on May 21, 2013 after a May 5 DUI arrest.{{cite web|last=Schilken|first=Chuck|title=Seahawks backup QB Josh Portis waived after being arrested|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-seahawks-qb-arrested-20130521,0,4522114.story|access-date=May 21, 2013}}

On March 8, 2013, Portis was signed by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

Portis was re-signed by the Seahawks on April 3, 2013 to a two-year contract. On May 21, Portis was waived after news surfaced of his DUI arrest.{{cite web|author=Associated Press|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/seattle-waives-backup-qb-josh-180537317--nfl.html;_ylt=A0oGk_uGM5xRLQcAFFBXNyoA;_ylc=X3IDMgRjc3JjcHZpZAM1emJKRkVvR2RFZXZpaWpqVVk3ekVBSmJvc0gwRjFHY014NEFDd0pkBGZyA3NsdjgtdHljOQRmcjIDc2ctZ2FjBGdwcmlkA05mYjJFdEZqUWVxcldiSjFEWlBRSEEEbl9ncHMDMTAEb3JpZ2luA3NycARwb3MDMQRwcXN0cgNqb3NoIHBvcnRpcwRxdWVyeQNqb3NoIHBvcnRpcwRzYWMDMQRzYW8DMQR0b1N0cmluZwNbb2JqZWN0IE9iamVjdF0EdnRlc3RpZANBQ0JZMDE-?rnd=252613625396832948432554|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616121443/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/seattle-waives-backup-qb-josh-180537317--nfl.html;_ylt=A0oGk_uGM5xRLQcAFFBXNyoA;_ylc=X3IDMgRjc3JjcHZpZAM1emJKRkVvR2RFZXZpaWpqVVk3ekVBSmJvc0gwRjFHY014NEFDd0pkBGZyA3NsdjgtdHljOQRmcjIDc2ctZ2FjBGdwcmlkA05mYjJFdEZqUWVxcldiSjFEWlBRSEEEbl9ncHMDMTAEb3JpZ2luA3NycARwb3MDMQRwcXN0cgNqb3NoIHBvcnRpcwRxdWVyeQNqb3NoIHBvcnRpcwRzYWMDMQRzYW8DMQR0b1N0cmluZwNbb2JqZWN0IE9iamVjdF0EdnRlc3RpZANBQ0JZMDE-?rnd=252613625396832948432554|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2013|title=Seattle waives backup QB Josh Portis|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|date=May 21, 2013|access-date=May 21, 2013}}

Portis re-signed with Toronto on June 2, 2013.

On July 15, 2014, Portis was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Following the 2014 CFL season, Portis resigned with the Blue Bombers prior to becoming a free-agent.{{Cite web|url = http://www.bluebombers.com/article/bombers-extend-contract-of-qb-josh-portis|title = BOMBERS EXTEND CONTRACT OF QB JOSH PORTIS|date = December 18, 2014|access-date = December 31, 2014|website = Winnipeg Blue Bombers|publisher = |last = |first = |archive-date = January 1, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150101040030/http://www.bluebombers.com/article/bombers-extend-contract-of-qb-josh-portis|url-status = dead}} On June 29, 2015, Portis was released from the Bombers.

On May 24, 2017, Portis was assigned to the Washington Valor of the Arena Football League.{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/28/nfl-dreams-fuel-dcs-latest-indoor-football-adventu/ |title=NFL dreams fuel D.C.'s latest arena football adventure |author=Thom Loverro |date=May 28, 2017 |publisher=The Washington Times, LLC |work=www.washingtontimes.com |access-date=May 30, 2017}} He was placed on reassignment on July 20, 2017.{{cite web | url=http://www.afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=transactions | title=Transactions | publisher=afldigital.com | access-date=July 22, 2017 | url-status=bot: unknown | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723032342/http://www.afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=transactions | archive-date=July 23, 2017 }} On March 21, 2018, he was assigned to the Valor.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/teams/Washington_Valor-227/transactions/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322010543/http://www.arenafan.com/teams/Washington_Valor-227/transactions/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 22, 2018 | title=Team Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=March 21, 2018}} On May 7, 2018, he was placed on reassignment.{{cite web | url=http://www.afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=transactions | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508235915/http://www.afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=transactions | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 8, 2018 | title=Transactions | publisher=afldigital.com | access-date=May 8, 2018}} On May 14, 2018, he was assigned to the Valor.{{cite web | url=http://afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=transactions | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517034510/http://afldigital.com/index.cfm?view=transactions | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 17, 2018 | title=Transactions | publisher=afldigital.com | access-date=May 16, 2018}}

On May 17, 2018, he was placed on reassignment.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=transactions | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522025229/http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=transactions | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 22, 2018 | title=Recent Transactions | publisher=arenafan.com | access-date=May 21, 2018}}

He is the cousin of retired Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis.[http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/portis_josh00.html Player Bio: Josh Portis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104201749/http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/portis_josh00.html |date=January 4, 2009 }}, University of Maryland Terrapins football official website, retrieved January 11, 2009. On May 5, 2013, Portis was arrested for driving under the influence, and had a blood alcohol level of 0.092, .012 higher than the state of Washington's limit.{{cite web|last=Sherman|first=Rodger|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/SBNation_20130520_Seahawks_QB_Josh_Portis_arrested_for_DUI.html|title=Seahawks QB Josh Portis arrested for DUI|publisher=Philadelphia Media Network|date=May 20, 2013|access-date=May 20, 2013}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Josh Portis}}

• [https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-portijos002 Stats Crew profile]
• [http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/16/ex-terrapins-qb-is-california-dreamin/ Former Terps QB is California dreamin'], The Washington Times, August 16, 2009.
• [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/06/AR2008080602905_pf.html Portis showing improvement], The Washington Post, August 6, 2008.
• [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-32783633_ITM Terps can't dig deep for answers at QB: Loss of Portis, transfers leaves position thin], The Baltimore Sun, September 3, 2007.
• [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-32747980_ITM Portis speeds up Terps' QB debate], The Baltimore Sun, August 29, 2007.
• [http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-6944105/Portis-makes-impression-Ineligible-player.html Portis makes impression; ineligible player poses as White], The Washington Times, September 12, 2007.
• [https://archive.today/20130131205346/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/sports/s_644244.html Portis leads Cal U past Gannon], Trib Total Media, September 21, 2009.
• [http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/06/29/blue-bombers-rookie-sukh-chunghs-cfl-debut-couldnt-have-gone-much-better]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Portis, Josh}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Woodland Hills, Los Angeles

Category:American football quarterbacks

Category:Canadian football quarterbacks

Category:Maryland Terrapins football players

Category:Florida Gators football players

Category:California Vulcans football players

Category:Players of American football from Los Angeles

Category:Seattle Seahawks players

Category:Toronto Argonauts players

Category:Winnipeg Blue Bombers players

Category:Washington Valor players

Category:William Howard Taft Charter High School alumni

Category:Players of Canadian football from Los Angeles