Blue and Gold Illustrated

Oct 9, 2021

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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50 OCT. 9, 2021 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE T rusted by his Los Angeles Chargers coaches with a more expanded role this season as a second-year defensive back, former Irish team captain Alohi Gilman is making good on an NFL op- portunity he spent all of his life waiting for. So it was interesting that when Gil- man was asked about the most mem- orable moments and highlights of his football career, the Chargers safety and special teams ace didn't mention his first NFL game or even his recent fourth-quarter interception of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes that helped secure a Chargers upset victory. Instead, Gilman backs up two years and talks about his senior season at Notre Dame in 2019. "Honestly, I don't know if it will ever get better than that," said Gilman, a sixth-round draft pick of the Chargers in 2020. "Even being in the NFL, it's a different game. The NFL is a cutthroat business. It was different going out there at Notre Dame Stadium with those gold helmets, flying around with your broth- ers. I'll definitely always cherish those moments. Man, I think about it a lot." Gilman recorded seven tackles in 15 games for the Chargers last season as a special teams starter and a sparsely used backup safety. Special teams success demands in- stincts and athleticism more than prep- aration and film study. Gilman explained that his greatest challenge as a rookie was trying to pre- pare each week like he would start at safety, while knowing he might not even play a snap at the position during a game. "There have been weeks when I wouldn't even get a single defensive rep in practice," Gilman said, "and then get thrown in there and have to remember four different positions and remember everything and execute the same way. You have to always be prepared in this league." With his confidence blooming as a second-year player, Gilman is getting more practice and game reps at safety this season, and with 10 tackles already through three games — along with his first career interception — he's securing Alohi Gilman Is Making Good With The Chargers In his second year with the Los Angeles Chargers, Gilman has expanded his role from special teams to now seeing regular reps in the secondary. In the first three games this season, he had 10 tackles and his first career interception. PHOTO COURTESY LA CHARGERS

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