April 28, 2008
(San Diego, CA) - The day after Josh Johnson was selected in the 5th round by Tampa Bay, the USD football program received some more good news. Senior defensive end Eric Bakhtiari (Burlingame, CA) signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers, and senior wide receiver Wes Doyle (Phoenix, AZ) signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both Torero players played key roles in USD's success the past four years. Bakhtiari led all FCS players in pass sacks this season with 20, and Doyle tied a school mark with 73 receptions to go with his 13 touchdown catches for the 9-2 Toreros.
This past season Bakhtiari was named the Pioneer Football League Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. He was a First Team All-American by three outlets (The Sports Network, Associated Press, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation), as well as a finalist for the Buck Buchanon Award (5th in voting) and a Ted Hendricks finalist for the top defensive end in the nation. He participated in the Texas vs. The Nation all-start game following the season. This past season he started all 11 games with totals of 76 tackles (46 solo), 24.5 tackles for loss (-149 yards), 20 quarterback sacks (-129 yards), 6 QB hurries, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 pass breakups and 2 blocked kicks. He ranked 1st in NCAA statistics (FCS) for sacks (1.81 per game), and was 5th in tackles for loss (2.09). Twice he was named the PFL defensive player of the week (Oct. 15 & Nov. 12). Against Drake on Oct. 15th he totaled a school record for sacks (5) and forced fumbles (3) in the team's 59-19 win.
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Doyle made a huge impact on the success of USD football, both in the classroom and on the playing field. This past season he was named a First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, as well as a First Team PFL All-Academic selection. This past season he led the Toreros with 73 receptions (tied school record) for 926 yards and 13 touchdowns. He leaves USD as the program's 3rd all-time leader in receptions (173), yards (2,393) and touchdown receptions (26).
