For junior wide receiver Jamarr Graves, it's all about improving his consistency and speed so he can take advantage of his size.    

At 6'3", 205 pounds, the 2015 recipient of the Pokey Allen Endowed Scholarship, has high expectations for himself, as do his coaches. Coming out of Portland's Grant High School, Graves was a three-star recruit who chose Portland State over the University of Montana and Colorado.    

Going into last year, "I wasn't that upset about where I was (a special team player but fairly low on the wide receiver depth chart). But I knew I needed to be more consistent. That's what I needed to work on."     

Graves did get into games at wide receiver his sophomore year. He caught four passes for 25 yards, including two against Montana State and one for his first collegiate touchdown against Sacramento State.     

That touchdown catch was the highlight of the year for him. A short pass from quarterback Josh Kraght, "it was just a short pass, but it was special," Graves recalled.     

In the off-season, Graves continued to work.     

"Jamarr is one of those special guys who does everything you ask. He's the first guy to start a drill or be a demonstrator… a really great kid. He's tall and long with long arms and legs. And, he can jump," said new wide receivers coach Evan Mozzochi.  But, he added, "we need him to become more consistent, make the tough catches."     

The key to getting there is repetition. Graves said he's been running routes and has tried to catch with every Viking quarterback (and, this year, that's a bunch) to help with his consistency.     

"For me, the big thing is concentration. I've been able to get into position, but it's just about catching the ball. And, that should be the easiest part. I need to go ahead and make the play. I've been overthinking how to catch the ball, rather than just catching it."     

As to positioning, he tries to use his height. "I'm just trying to beat the corner. At the end of the day, it's all about who's going to win that competition."     

And, to that end, he's been working on his speed.     

"I'm not the fastest guy on the field, but I try to get my body between me and the defender. I try to use my height," Graves said.     

In terms of his year's crop of quarterback candidates, Graves is impressed with the amount of talent he sees.     

"We have good players, but only one can be there," he said, adding that he'd like to see the quarterback question settled as early as possible so he can work on developing the best relationship possible with that person. Still, even when that happens, he'll continue working with all the quarterbacks.      

Graves redshirted his freshman year, so he is on track to graduate next spring with a Business Degree is Supply Logistics. He's thinking about graduate school and would "definitely" use his last year of football eligibility the following year, if the opportunity presented itself.     

For now, though, "I just want to play as much as possible…. at wide receiver… to get those reps," Graves said.