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SAN DIEGO – Linebacker Ali Highsmith had one night to settle into the team hotel in his new city before he took the practice field.

The football acclimation may take time, but Highsmith felt a familiarity the moment he stepped inside the Chargers locker room.

That’s because the former LSU Tiger rejoined college teammates Buster Davis and Jacob Hester. That makes five former LSU players on San Diego’s roster, the biggest representation of any school.

“We were winners over there. Teams like winners so they came and got us,” Highsmith said.

He played in 20 games for Arizona the last two seasons and made 15 special teams tackles. He expects to compete for a similar role with the Chargers.

“Anywhere they need me,” Highsmith said. “Anything to solidify a job.”

Of the team’s linebackers, Highsmith noticed a fun culture during warmups when they asked him about his BCS Championship.

“They’re cool. They like to crack jokes and have fun. That’s what football’s all about. It’s about having fun and just going out there and playing ball,” he said. “(The Chargers) already know how to win. It’s just about putting all the right pieces together to make that puzzle and just going out there and taking care of it on Sundays.”

RETURN MAN: The Chargers held the second 45-minute special teams practice of training camp Thursday morning.

A handful of players have gotten reps returning kicks, including the dynamic Darren Sproles. The sixth-year running back has gained more than 5,900 yards returning kickoffs and punts during his career, but devotes time each offseason to evaluate his game.

“In the offseason, I like to look at my film and see what I need to do better,” Sproles said.

Asked if he noticed anything specific this year, he chuckled and said yes.

“But I can’t tell y’all.”

EXTRA WORK: Rookie running back Ryan Mathews has a new habit.

He started catching passes on the JUGS machine after practice this week.

The 6-foot, 218-pound back rushed for an NCAA-leading 1,808 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior at Fresno State, but Head Coach Norv Turner thinks he also can become a threat to catch passes out of the backfield.

“Ryan’s got good hands. He’s got good understanding of what we’re doing. We’ve thrown a lot at him the last three or four days, so he’s putting a little extra time in to make sure he knows what he’s doing,” Turner said. “I’m excited about Ryan in the passing game. He’s an outstanding pass protector.

“When he gets into daylight, when he gets into some open spots and he and Philip get on the same page in terms of what Philip expects him to do, I think he’s going to give us some real explosive plays in the passing game.”

PRACTICE WEATHER: Sunny, 71 degrees.

BOLTS: Malcom Floyd made a pair of catches to open the two-minute drive for the first offense, taking a solid bump on one of them … Brandon Hughes skied for a well-timed interception during a two-minute drive … Nate Kaeding chased his own onside kick down the field, picked it up and took off, throwing an imaginary stiff arm that drew chuckles from the players and onlookers on hand for the morning’s special teams session.