Eric Weddle got what he wanted in Saturday's NFL Draft — a telephone call from the San Diego Chargers.

"It's crazy. I knew they liked me and I knew it would be a great fit," Weddle said from his family home in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

The Utah All-American was taken in the second round (No. 37 overall) by San Diego. The Chargers, who took LSU receiver Craig Davis with the 30th overall pick, moved into position to select Weddle by making a trade with the Chicago Bears. They gave up four draft picks (No. 62, No. 93 and No. 167 this year, as well a third- round pick in 2008) to get him.

"It was just a fortunate event. They gave away some picks for me," said Weddle. "They believe in me, and I'm not going to let them down. I'm excited for the opportunity to go out and play for them."

New Chargers head coach Norv Turner, who takes over a team that went 14-2 before losing in the playoffs last season, offered a simple explanation for why the franchise gave up so much to draft Weddle.

"Eric was obviously a guy we wanted to have here. Eric's an outstanding football player," Turner told ESPN. "The great thing about Eric, he can have an impact right away."

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the Chargers are getting a "multi-tasker." Weddle, a defensive back, showed his versatility by also excelling at quarterback, running back, punter, punt returner, holder and kickoff coverage teams during his career with the Utes. He was a two-time Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year.

"They are going to get a complete football player — multi-talented," said Whittingham. "He's an instinctive, tough, competitive kid, and he's got a lot of ability."

Whittingham spoke with Weddle just prior to the draft, and San Diego was pinpointed as the destination of choice.

"That was No. 1," said Whittingham. "I called him right afterwards, and boy he was fired up."

Weddle wasn't sure what was going to happen when the draft entered a stage where 10-15 teams were eyeing safeties.

Things developed quickly, however. At the same time ESPN was reporting that the Chargers were making a trade for the No. 37 pick, Weddle's phone rang. It was the Chargers. After asking Weddle how he was doing and how he was feeling, they got down to business.

"They told me that they were picking me," said Weddle. "So it was bang, bang."

Weddle conversed with several people in the Chargers organization, including owner Alex G. Spanos, general manager A.J. Smith, defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and Turner.

Weddle will meet everyone today when he drives to San Diego with his wife, Chanel, for a press conference. He plans to participate in mini-camp May 3-7.

"I'm still in shock. I still can't believe that I just got drafted," Weddle said as he was celebrating with family and friends.

"This is just icing on the cake. I've just got to keep working and prove them all right."

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com