In an intriguing parallel, much like his own team, senior
Brandon Chillar’s beloved San Diego Chargers are in for what
looks like a tough season. But it doesn’t matter for the
potential All-American linebacker; he’s there for both.
“I don’t care (about the problems), that’s my
team!” Chillar said enthusiastically, referring to his
hometown team.
No matter what the struggle, whether it’s the devastating
16-14 UCLA loss to Colorado or the 0-2 start by the Chargers,
Chillar will always be there for his team.
And he certainly has been there for the Bruins. As one of the
key members of the Bruins’ defense, Chillar had tremendous
success in the first two games.
With a game-high 13 tackles in each of the Colorado and Illinois
games, Chillar was also pivotal in keeping the Bruins within two
points of the Buffaloes with a key block of a PAT on
Colorado’s final touchdown.
“I’m just trying to play hard,” Chillar
said. “You have to stay focused and play hard. And
having a good defensive line around me really helps.”
That good defensive line has been one of the few bright spots
for the 1-1 Bruins so far this season, having kept Illinois from
scoring a touchdown and making important stops for the Bruins at
Colorado. The defense had a significant turnaround since
Chillar’s entrance as a true freshman in 2001, when it was
one of the weakest of the team.
“We were sick of being mediocre. We just go out there now
and everyone is hungry,” Chillar said.
But more than just desire has propelled Chillar into powerful
defender ““ he offers a persona of competitive fierceness
combined with a newly found, relaxed attitude.
“He was just an animal on the field,” sophomore
offensive guard Steve Vieira said previously of their days playing
together in high school “He was making plays every play.
“He was really laid back, one of those guys with a
carefree lifestyle,” Vieira said. “He wouldn’t
stress about anything. He’s matured.”
Though humble, crediting his teammates, Chillar was named Pac-10
Player of the Week along with fellow teammate kicker Justin
Medlock, while having a picture of him featured in Sports
Illustrated.
“It’s exciting,” Chillar said in an interview.
“It’s always good to get something like that, but if
I’m playing good, it means the whole defensive effort is
good.
“I was also excited (about the magazine), it’s a big
magazine, and I was just happy to see myself in it. Every football
player would love to see himself in it. Hopefully see I’ll
see it again.”
He very well could, especially with rumors swelling of
All-American contention. After a strong performance last season,
the linebacker is expected to have even a bigger contribution this
year. With starts in all 13 games in 2002, he ranked third on the
team with 74 tackles while being second in sacks with five.
But the potential for accolades and a future in the NFL is
nothing to think about for the time being. The future for the
Bruins is all that concerns Chillar.
“I don’t really worry about that stuff because if
you play hard enough, it’ll take care of itself,”
Chillar said. “I just have to stay focused.
“I can’t really worry about the NFL, because
I’ve got 10 more games to play and that’s most
important.”
Though the future may be uncertain for both teams Chillar cares
about, he feels that as long as he’s with his teammates, it
will be rewarding ““ crediting his teammates as the best part
of his collegiate experience.
“I tell everyone this but it’s true,” Chillar
said, “Hanging out with the guys and being in the locker
room, you get to know 105 guys on the team, everyone is a different
character.”