2012 SD Chargers Media Guide_PROOF.P - Seahawks Online ...

38 MARCUS GILCHRISTCornerback Draft 2A – ’115-10, 193 Clemson2nd NFL SeasonAndrews HS2nd with ChargersHigh Point, N.C.It didn’t take long for 2011 second-round pick MarcusGilchrist to make an impression in San Diego. Almostimmediately he earned the job as the team’s nickel cornerbackand just four games into the season, Gilchrist earnedhis first NFL start when starter Quentin Jammer wasinjured. As expected the Miami Dolphins went right afterthe rookie corner, but Gilchrist intercepted the first passthrown in his direction and his defense helped the Chargersto victory.Gilchrist played in 14 games for the Chargers during hisrookie season and he started four times. He finished theyear with two interceptions, tied for second on the team.Gilchrist came to the Chargers from Clemson Universitywhere he was a star among stars. Four of his defensiveTRANSACTION HISTORY: Second-round pick (50), April 29,2011...signed four-year contract, July 28, 2011.2011: Made first-career start and recorded first NFL interceptionon first pass thrown in his direction in first quarterOct. 2 vs. Miami…later broke up pass in end zone in thirdquarter to prevent touchdown and force field goal try...40-yard return following throwback from Patrick Crayton onpunt return Nov. 10 vs. Oakland...sealed Dec. 11 win overBuffalo (37-10) with late fourth-quarter interception.COLLEGE: Honorable mention All-ACC as senior...wonteam’s strength training award during Spring prior to seniorcampaign...started at cornerback as senior and free safety asjunior...tied school-record by playing in 53 games...schoolrecord50 total returns as senior...finished career with 211teammates were selected in the 2011 NFL Draft. Accordingto the Tigers’ coaches though, it was Marcus’ footballIQ that made him stand out, along with an impressiveshowing at the NFL combine where he posted a 38-inchvertical leap and put up 26 bench-press repetitions at 225pounds, second-most among all defensive backs.Gilchrist had toughness and discipline instilled at homeat an early age from his father, Ronny, a retired UnitedStates Marine. Ronny played sports and boxed in the service.He had Marcus doing push-ups and sit-ups at an earlyage, 200 a day when he started playing youth sports, andmore as he got older. Marcus’ mother, LaJeune, was alsothe daughter of a coach.tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception, 19 passesdefensed, five tackles for loss, one sack and six quarterbackpressures...averaged 25.1 yards on kickoff returns and 9.7yards on punt returns....played at Clemson from 2007-10...management major.PERSONAL: Born in High Point, N.C....USA Today All-Americaas senior at Andrews High in High Point...all-state and all-conferenceas junior...played in 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowlas senior and Shrine Bowl as junior...Piedmont-Triad AAADefensive Player of Year and Scholar-Athlete by North CarolinaHigh School Athletic Association as junior after 10 interceptionsand eight touchdowns (four kickoff returns, two puntreturns and two interceptions)...four-year letterman and conferenceplayer of year in basketball as senior...three-year letterwinnerin track...member of state-champion 4x200 team.VETERANS &RETURNING PLAYERSRegular Season Pass Fumbles Special TeamsYear Team G-S Tack.-Asst. Total Sacks-Yds. Int.-Yds. Long TD Def. For.-Rec. TFL Tackles2011 San Diego 14-4 21-5 26 0-0 2-22 21 0 2 0-0 0 6Regular Season Kickoff ReturnsYear Team No.-Yds. Avg. Long TD2011 San Diego 3-46 15.3 20 0Single-game HighsTackles — 7 (2 times) Last: vs. Green Bay Nov. 6, 2011Interceptions — 1 (2 times) Last: vs. Buffalo Dec. 11, 2011MEDIA GUIDE | 63