Alohi Gilman Thrust Into Big Opportunity
The transition to the NFL is tough on most rookies and for Alohi Gilman, it’s coming fast.
LA Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James will have knee surgery and it will knock him out for the next six to eight months after sustaining an injury on Sunday.
Gilman, a sixth-round pick, will now have an opportunity to earn the starting role for the Chargers in his first training camp.
“I'm a competitor just like everyone else,” Gilman stated on Monday. “Shoutout to DJ (Derwin James) first and foremost. My prayers go out to him. He's been a great mentor to me and one of the greatest athletes I've ever been around.
"For me, it's a great opportunity to step in a role where I can play a little more early on in my career. I have a lot of room to grow, but that's a day by day process. When my number is called, I'll be ready."
The COVID-19 pandemic has already made training camp unique for everyone involved, but now there will be more pressure for Gilman to raise his game and quickly as the NFL season is a few weeks away.
Gilman is confident he’ll be ready and the Hawaii native has appreciated how the Chargers defense has taken him under their wing.
It's been great,” said Gilman. “It's a different training camp for not just me, but everybody. The veterans have been great for me. DJ (Derwin James) has been a big support for me, but the safeties and some of the older guys have been great for me.
"Overall, it's been mainly a learning process trying to grow every day. I make my mistakes, make some plays, but every day, get a little bit better. I've been having fun. This is fun flying around with some of the best athletes in the world. I've been enjoying it."
Part of the challenge for Gilman is learning a new defensive system. Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley runs a different system than Clark Lea and Gilman will now be counted on to master it sooner than later.
"Notre Dame had a great system for me,” explained Gilman. “At Notre Dame, it was a two-high team and it's a single-high team with Coach Bradley. It's definitely been different. The techniques have been different and the scheme has been different. It's not much of what I've been used to since I've been in college in terms of base defense.
"It's been a transition for me creating those habits day by day. In terms of the sub-packages and things, it's similar concepts to what I've done at Notre Dame. It's good to be out here and be a part of this."
The Chargers will open the season at Cincinnati, the home of No. 1 pick Joe Burrow, and it could very well be the debut for Gilman in the LA secondary as he’s counting on his versatility to get him on the field regardless of if he starts week one.
"I'm just a young guy, passionate and versatile,” Gilman said. “I can be put in multiple positions. I feel confident in being able to be around the ball. I think I have high instincts and I can put myself in positions to make plays.
"As I get more comfortable throughout this camp and going into the season, I think I'll only get better. I think it'll be fun flying around, being physical and making some plays."