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Training Camp is nearly upon us - our first chance to get an up close look at the 2015 San Diego Chargers. Ironically enough, many of those names - heck maybe even a majority - at Chargers Park will look a tad unfamiliar to you.
If that’s the case - and even if it’s not - there’s a good chance that sometime between now and the final preseason game you’ll be asking yourself "Who the hell is that?"
Well, we’re here to tell you just who the hell that is.
Here’s a primer on the newcomers and the not-so household names lining up on offense for the Chargers this training camp.
Quarterbacks
No. 4 Brad Sorensen: Remember him? The former 2013 seventh round pick is back with the team after spending time with Tennessee last season, before joining the Chargers’ practice squad in Week 16. A likely candidate to make the practice squad.
No. 16 Chase Rettig: Not the best choice as far as numbers go. The former Boston College quarterback figures to be nothing more than a camp arm.
Running Backs
No. 28 Melvin Gordon: Arguably the most anticipated player to watch coming into training camp. The Wisconsin product has drawn rave reviews this offseason, so it’ll be interesting to see how he performs when the pads are on.
No. 30 Jahwan Edwards: An undrafted free agent from Ball State, where he racked up 4,558 yards as the Cardinals’ all-time leading rusher.
No. 36 Dreamius Smith: The first candidate for the 2015 Training Camp All-Names Team. Dreamius is a compact 5-foot-11 225-pound back who played his college ball at West Virginia.
Wide Receivers
No. 3 Torrence Allen: Spent his rookie season on the Chargers practice squad after starring at that vaunted powerhouse, West Texas A&M.
No. 6 Tyrell Williams: A 6-foot-4, 205-pound receiver from Western Oregon. Nearly the exact same size as 2014 camp sensation Dontrelle Inman and is a candidate to follow in his footsteps.
No. 7 Demetrius Wilson: Had an unspectacular career at Arkansas - 26 career receptions - where he transferred to after playing at the JUCO level.
No. 8 Javontee Herndon: Another Arkansas product, Herndon was in camp with the Chargers last year and spent 2014 on the practice squad.
No. 11 Stevie Johnson: I’ll forgive you if it takes a second for you to realize No. 11 no longer belongs to the departed Eddie Royal. Johnson comes to Chargers Park after a disappointing season up in San Francisco.
No. 12 Jacoby Jones: He of Super Bowl XLVII fame, Jones spent the last three seasons in Baltimore and represents the first legitimate threat for the Chargers as a returner since Darren Sproles left town.
No. 82 Austin Pettis: A somewhat more recognizable name as Pettis was a 2011 third round pick of the St. Louis Rams after starring at Boise State. Doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence that he couldn’t cut it as a receiver with the Rams, but he adds a veteran presence.
No. 84 Titus Davis: Trying to follow in Jahleel Addae’s footsteps and make the team as an undrafted free agent from Central Michigan. The former Chippewa was the first player in FBS history to haul in eight touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.
Tight Ends
No. 46 Eric Frohnapfel: Tight ends who wear jersey in the 40’s are always a longshot. Good thing he earned a 4.0 GPA in MBA studies at Marshall - where he also received the Chad Pennington Award as "the offensive player who gives his all on and off the field" - so he’s got that going for him.
No. 81 David Paulson: His name was - nevermind. Paulson is a former Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick out of Oregon but spent last season on the Chargers practice squad.
No. 86 Kyle Miller: Attended D-III power Mount Union, who also calls Pierre Garcon, Cecil Shorts III, Dom Capers, and Chargers quarterback coach Nick Sirianni alumni. The Chargers represent his fifth team since entering the league in 2011, after San Diego claimed him off waivers in May.
No. 87 Brian Parker: Parker is living proof that Albany has a football team which, admittedly, I was unaware of.
Tackles
No. 70 Chris Hairston: Hairston unites with Joe D, after the two spent time together in Buffalo where the Clemson product spent the first four years of his career. Projects as a swing tackle and a key piece of depth along the line.
No. 72 Joe Barksdale: Was signed shortly before OTA’s began in May so it’ll be interesting to see how far he has come along in the offense since that time. The Ram figures to compete for a starting spot on the right side of the line.
No. 73 Forrestal Hickman: Seriously, check out some of these names. We’re almost in Key & Peele territory, here. Hickman’s been on the team for a little more than a month but probably won’t be for another. Enjoy the former Missouri Science and Tech star - and his awesome name - while you can.
No. 78 Tyreek Burwell: At 6-foot-5, 305 pounds, Burwell is the second lightest offensive lineman on the team, ahead of only Trevor Robinson. A former tight end who started just four games at tackle in college, all of them coming in his final season at Cincinnati.
Guards
No. 62 Ben Beckwith: A member of that upstart, yet ultimately disappointing Mississippi State team a year ago. Was a Third Team All-America selection and earned more SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week Awards in 2014 - three - than any other player.
No. 64 Craig Watts: Listed as the second heaviest player on the team - 335-pounds - behind only D.J. Fluker. Was on the practice squad last year, but more importantly was a Beyond Sports Network and Daktronics first-team All-America.
No. 69 Michael Huey: Played for the Chargers way back in the 2011 preseason before spending time in the Arena Football League and earning a place on Washington’s practice squad for two weeks last year.
No. 74 Orlando Franklin: The somewhat unheralded gem of Tom Telesco’s 2015 free agent haul. Franklin is a welcomed 6-foot-7, 320 pound sight on the left side of the line where he and King Dunlap no doubt have machinations on blocking out the sun, a la Mr. Burns.
No. 75 Jeremiah Sirles: Sirles isn’t exactly a new name per se, as he filled in for Johnnie Troutman at San Francisco before starting at right guard a week later against the Chiefs. Figures to compete for a backup spot along the line.
No. 79 Kenny Wiggins: Similar to Sirles, in that Wiggins has appeared on the active roster before. Spent the final nine weeks of 2013 there and made his debut on special teams at Kansas City last year.