Tag: Cam Hart Chargers

Rookie Cam Hart impresses on Day 1 of Chargers training camp

Cam Hart has a chance to make a contribution this season.

Wednesday marked the first day of Chargers training camp, during which players began making their cases for spots on the 53-man roster.

To open things up at The Bolt, it was rookie Cam Hart who had himself quite the day.

Hart, the team’s fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame, made his presence known by picking off a deep pass intended for wide receiver Jaylen Johnson down the sideline.

With his elite size at 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds and physicality, Hart overpowered and cut off Johnson to nab the football.

Following the session, head coach Jim Harbaugh heaped high praise on Hart.

“The length for sure, the things that stand out to you right away,” Harbaugh said, per the team’s official website. “The range, the instincts, the way he can put his foot in the ground and accelerate.

“To be able to be that long, he’s pretty strong like a Derwin James. For them to backpedal, plant and drive on things, it’s harder than the smaller, littler guy. It’s a good, rare combination,” Harbaugh added. “We look at him and go you got the license and ability to go a long way in this game. He’s right on track.”

Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton are the presumed starters at outside cornerback. But if Hart continues to perform like he did on Wednesday, he could earn a role in his rookie season.

Instant analysis of Chargers selecting CB Cam Hart

Analyzing the Los Angeles Chargers’ selection of Notre Dame CB Cam Hart with the 140th overall selection.

The Chargers have doubled up at cornerback.

After selecting Maryland CB Tarheeb Still with the 137th pick, Los Angeles went back to the well at 140, selecting Notre Dame CB Cam Hart.

A three-year starter at Notre Dame, Hart has long been a potential Chargers target after LA sent scouts to multiple Fighting Irish games in 2023. New safeties coach Chris O’Leary was also in South Bend with Hart prior to taking the job with Los Angeles and Jim Harbaugh.

Hart gave up more than 25 yards in a game just once in 2023, thanks to a combination of length and GPS speed (23.01 mph) that defies his pedestrian 4.50 40-yard dash time. While not a ball-hawk corner – Hart did not have an interception in his last 32 games in college – he comes with a fascinating package of tools that will make him a valuable punt gunner at the very least.

Hart does come with some injury risk – he’s had three shoulder surgeries in the last five years, including offseason surgery between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. But if he stays healthy, his eyes and athleticism could very well turn him into a starting corner for Los Angeles for years to come.

2024 NFL draft: Chargers pick CB Cam Hart with No. 140 overall selection

The Chargers added to the cornerback room with the selection of Cam Hart.

The Chargers selected former Notre Dame cornerback Cam Hart with the No. 140 overall pick.

After drafting Tarheeb Still, Los Angeles double dipped at the position by adding Hart.

With over 30 starts under his belt, Hart finished his college career with 90 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 17 pass breakups and two interceptions.

At 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, Hart is a big corner with good speed to carry receivers downfield and plus zone coverage skills to read, react and make plays on underneath routes.

Hart will have the opportunity to earn a starting job early on.