CHARGERS FINISH UP DRAFT STRONG; ADD TWO MORE BUCKEYES, JJ WATT’S BROTHER

By Liz Alper

Photos: Joshua Perry (Youtube screenshot), Max Tuerk (left, forums.chargers.com), Drew Kaser (Youtube screenshot with SEC background), Derek Watt

April 30, 2016 (Chicago) - Max Tuerk will travel two hours south for his NFL career.

The University of Southern California center suffered an ACL tear last October, but still has good hands, good length and moves well.  He’s 6’5”, 298 pounds and the Chargers' 66th pick in the third round.

He can also play any other position on the offensive line.  As long as he remains healthy, he can be an effective, quick center and challenge Chris Watt for the starting job.

With the fourth round, 102nd pick, Tom Telesco decided to take another Buckeye.  Joshua Perry is coming to San Diego.  The 6’4”, 254 pound inside linebacker recorded 105 tackles, 7 1/2 of which for loss, and three sacks as a senior.

The Chargers have gone 82 selections without an Ohio State draft pick until Joey Bosa in the first round.  

With the 38th pick in the fifth round, the Chargers selected Jatavis Brown out of Akron.  The outside linebacker was named 2015 MAC Defensive Player of the Year.  He set a school record last season with 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.  He holds the school record for career tackles for loss with 41.5.  He’s athletic, a team player and good at disrupting tight ends.

With their sixth round, fourth pick, the Chargers selected punter Drew Kaser from Texas A&M.  He was an All-American in 2013 and set a school record last season with a 47.47 punt.  21 of his 60 punts went inside the 20 yard line.  He has good leg strength and will add to a sore Chargers special teams core.  Also in the sixth round, the Chargers drafted the third fullback in the draft, Houston Texans star J.J. Watt’s younger brother, Derek Watt, 198th overall out of Wisconsin. Watt is a good blocker who could be solid on the running game with former Badgers teammate Melvin Gordon.  

With their final pick in this year’s draft, the Chargers added to their offensive line again, drafting guard Donovan Clark out of Michigan State 224th overall.  The 6’4”, 235 pounder was the 2015 third-team All-Big Ten coaches’ pick. Clark is quick and versatile and can also play all other offensive line positions.