BUTTE VALLEY — Much like one of his scrambles on the field, Rieger Sayre took an unexpected route to reach his goal of playing Division I football. He received several Division II offers after his senior season at Ashland (Ore.) High, but decided to cross the state line to join a Butte College team with Division I prospects in the quarterback room. The COVID pandemic delayed the start of his college career, and he appeared sparingly in the 2022-23 season, then made the most of his opportunity to start.
Butte’s nine-win season, capped by a bowl win, brought him higher-level offers — and, Monday, he sealed his future by signing a letter of intent with Portland State University of the Big Sky Conference, which competes in the Football Championship Subdivision of NCAA Division I. Coaches, family and a dozen teammates attended the ceremony in the college’s Kinesiology and Athletic Performance Center.
Sayre is the 12th member of last season’s squad to commit to a four-year program, and Coach Robby Snelling expects at least that many to follow suit during the spring signing period that opens next month. The timing of Sayre’s decision allows him to join the Vikings’ preseason training to establish a foothold.
“One of the biggest things is that they have a need now,” Snelling explained. “They’ve got a guy injured who played a significant amount of time for them; they’re waiting to see how he comes back off of that injury, and then behind him (are) a lot of unknowns, so with Rieger getting there now, he has a great opportunity to compete and get reps this spring. To be able to do that is a huge advantage.”
Last season for the Roadrunners (9-2), Sayre completed 56% of his passes for 1,732 yards, with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, plus ran for 298 yards and six TDs. He’s the third straight Butte QB to go Division I, following Brian Harper (Weber State of the Big Sky) and Tanner Hughes (Iowa State of the Big 12).
He chose Portland for its proximity to home and the chance to play for a championship. The Vikings are coming off a 5-6 season, 4-4 in conference.
“As far as where I thought I’d be, it was a different path,” Sayre said. “I thought that I’d be one year in (for) JUCO experience, but COVID happened, I didn’t get to play ball that first year. I had a great time at Butte, developed a lot as a player, went from about 205 (pounds) to 225, put on another inch — now my arm is stronger, and we have a great program that helped me get faster and stronger.
“Things fell into place. We had an awesome season this year; I couldn’t have done it without my coaches and teammates. Now I get this great opportunity — excited to get up there and fired up to make plays for the Vikings.”