USD's defense already had a significant void with the graduation of Eric Bakhtiari, a midmajor All-America defensive end now a free agent in Chargers camp.
And with standout defensive back Ben Hannula locked in a competition for the starting quarterback job after switching to offense in the spring, the defense suddenly finds itself trying to plug more holes than it originally intended.
Not a problem, said all-league cornerback Gabe Derricks yesterday after the Toreros' first practice.
“Of course you would think when all-stars leave it would hurt, but we don't look at it like that,” Derricks said. “We look at it as a team game. Individuals play a huge roll, but you have to think about the secondary who covers the receivers to give (the linemen) time to get the sack. We're a team. That's our vibe.”
With six defensive starters returning (Hannula would have made seven), Patrick O'Neill shifts from safety to cornerback. With four interceptions and 65 tackles last year, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound fifth-year senior brings a hitter's mentality to the cornerback position.
“I think our secondary should be the fastest in the league,” Derricks said. “We have some heavy hitters and we fly.”
Hannula is competing for the quarterback job with Andrew Rolin. But don't expect to see him carrying a clipboard should Rolin win the job.
“At this point, Ben is an offensive player,” said second-year coach Ron Caragher. “That's my mentality, and first and foremost is the quarterback spot. If things happen where Andrew is the starter, Ben is too good a player to keep off the field. I think Ben would find a way on the field. But it's so early. It's going to be a tough competition between those two.”
Caragher said he hopes to have a starter named about 10 days before the Toreros' first game Aug. 29 against Marist at Torero Stadium.
While the team searches for a successor to record-setting quarterback Josh Johnson, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Caragher was quick to point out the impact Bakhtiari had on the defense.
“What Josh was to our offense, Eric was to our defense,” Caragher said last week. “A guy like that isn't easily replaced.”
Kevin Gemmell: (619) 718-5304; kevin.gemmell@uniontrib.com
