The Chargers, in need of help at linebacker, selected Uchenna Nwosu from USC with the No. 48 pick in the NFL draft.
Nwosu had 75 tackles and 9.5 sacks last season for USC, making him one of the better pass-rushing linebackers in the draft.
He joins Derwin James as defensive players selected in the first two rounds by the Chargers. A year ago, the team took three straight offensive players before selecting Raysahwn Jenkins in the fourth round.
The 6-foot-2, 251-pound Nwosu impressed the Chargers with a strong showing at his pro day at USC and attended the team's local workout, even though he didn't work out at the Chargers' facility.
Nwosu is from Carson, Calif., near the Chargers' temporary stadium, where he starred for Narbonne High before attending USC.
He should get an early opportunity to contribute with the Chargers thin at linebacker.
