SAN DIEGO - Matt Wilhelm regularly played home college football games before 105,000 fans at national power Ohio State. Stephen Cooper played his in front of 100,000 fewer patrons at Maine, a Division I-AA program.

Consequently, Wilhelm was drafted by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft. Cooper went undrafted and was signed by the team after the draft.

Their paths now converge in the center of the Chargers' defense as the 2007 season approaches. The two inside linebackers are now first-year starting players on a team projected to be among the best in the NFL.

The duo is being counted on to replace two veterans - Donnie Edwards and Randall Godfrey - who have started a combined 305 regular-season games. Wilhelm and Cooper have combined for eight NFL starts, all by Cooper.

"I think they both understand that their time is now," linebackers coach Ron Rivera said. "That's what I think is exciting about it.

"Both Matt and Coop have really tried to take advantage of this opportunity. From the way they study in the meetings, the notes they take, the questions they ask, how they pay attention to film, they are very conscientious."

The Chargers express no concerns about either player.

In fact, the organization showed incredible faith in both players by locking them up with five-year contract extensions last year - Cooper's deal runs through 2010 and Wilhelm's contract ends the after 2011 campaign.

Cooper has received more playing time than Wilhelm over the past four seasons. Cooper started four games last season and accumulated 82 tackles. Wilhelm recorded 14 stops.

Wilhelm was a first-team All-American at Ohio State and a member of the Buckeyes' 2002 national championship team. Cooper was a two-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is annually given to the top defensive player in I-AA.

While Wilhelm was a nationally recognized college football player, few people outside of Maine had heard of Cooper.

"Coming from a small school, a lot of people don't give you a chance," Cooper said. "The competition you play against isn't like the big schools like USC or Notre Dame.

"Honestly, it doesn't matter where you play football as long as you get to this level."

Wilhelm couldn't agree more with his teammate's assessment.

"As big as the school that I went to and as small a school that he went to, what it really comes down to is we're both from the same place; we're both starting in the NFL,'" Wilhelm said.

Cooper's path to the NFL was definitely tougher. After starring at Wareham High in Massachusetts, he chose the Naval Academy but didn't find service life to his liking. He left after eight months and transferred to Maine.

He flew way under the national radar with the Black Bears despite a career that included 374 tackles, 25 sacks and seven interceptions. So he signed with the Chargers as a free agent just hoping to get a chance.

"I had to work my way up the totem pole," Cooper said. "We had a lot of good linebackers here when I came here from a small college. I was kind of discouraged but at the same time I knew I had to work hard and get the job done and that's what I did."

Cooper made the team and played primarily on special teams in 2003. He also recorded an interception, picking off Green Bay legend Brett Favre. He received his first career start early in the 2004 season when Godfrey was hurt and made his presence known with nine tackles.

He has been a steady contributor since and doesn't feel the least bit anxious over being a full-time starting player for the first time.

"I've had that feeling before so it's like second nature," the 29-year-old Cooper said. "I've played quite a bit so I'm just going to out there to have fun."

Wilhelm, 26, also is enjoying the chance to be an important member of the defense. He's been a force on special teams - 15 tackles in each of the past two seasons - and a capable reserve behind Edwards.

But since he has seen less playing time than Cooper, outsiders are more prone to label him as a question mark.

"That's fine," Wilhelm said. "I don't have a problem with that. I've yet to start. I've yet to be out there running with the (first team) on a consistent basis. It truly is a question mark. All I can do personally is take that in my mind and go out there and play the best to my ability and kind of remove that question mark."

Inside the organization, all you will find are staunch believers in both players. New defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell has lauded their work ethic and study habits; coach Norv Turner senses both players will "grow and take off" as regulars, and teammates expect big-time results.

"We're not going to miss a beat with those two guys in there," Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman said.

"They're not rookies. They've been around the game a whole lot and they've been around the defense. We know each other well and that's important on the defense."

So now is the time for Cooper and Wilhelm to show their stuff. Both players attest that they're more than ready for their opportunities.

"This is something that we've wished had happened years ago," Wilhelm said. "But for it to happen now, we both couldn't be happier."

Chargers notes

WR Vincent Jackson (lower leg) participated in Monday's second practice, his first work since last Wednesday. "He was running good," coach Norv Turner said. "He had a good day." …. The Chargers open the preseason on Sunday against Seattle, the time of year that RB LaDainian Tomlinson settles into the role of spectator. "Exhibition games, I just eat a lot of sunflower seeds," cracked Tomlinson, who has touched the ball just one time the past two preseasons. … Turner said the Chargers will remain in training-camp mode through Thursday's practice and begin preparing for the Seahawks on Friday.

- Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.