Sept. 10, 2008

Former USD defensive end Eric Bakhtiari (Burlingame, CA) received some good news today when he was signed to the San Diego Chargers Practice Squad. Bakhtiari (6-3, 285 lbs.), who led the nation in pass sacks last season with 20 for the 9-2 Toreros, was in the Chargers training camp this past summer after signing a free agent contract. He worked out at outside linebacker but was released from the team on August 30th on the final roster cutdown.

Last year Bakhtiari was named the Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. He was a First Team All-American by three outlets (The Sports Network, Associated Press, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation), as well as a finalist for the Buck Buchanon Award (5th in voting) and a Ted Hendricks finalist for the top defensive end in the nation. He participated in the Texas vs. The Nation all-start game following the season. This past season he started all 11 games with totals of 76 tackles (46 solo), 24.5 tackles for loss (-149 yards), 20 quarterback sacks (-129 yards), 6 QB hurries, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 pass breakups and 2 blocked kicks. He ranked 1st in NCAA statistics (FCS) for sacks (1.81 per game), and was 5th in tackles for loss (2.09). Twice he was named the PFL defensive player of the week (Oct. 15 & Nov. 12). Against Drake on Oct. 15th he totaled a school record for sacks (5) and forced fumbles (3) in the team's 59-19 win.