The Bears made some noise in this years NFL supplemental draft by taking RB/FB Harvey Unga from BYU. The move will cost the Bears a seventh round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Unga worked out for 20 teams on July 8th in Utah and the Bears were very interested in him. At 6’1″, 244 lbs, Unga has a frame built for an NFL fullback. It will be interesting to see how the Bears use Unga because he was very successful at BYU.

Unga had three straight 1,000 yard seasons, all included double digits touchdowns. Unga also had great success as a receiver out of the backfield at times. Unga became the school’s all-time leading rusher with 3,455 yards in his four years at BYU.

Unga led the Mountain West Conference last season with 1,087 rushing yards.

Unga entered the supplemental draft after being dismissed from BYU for violating the school’s honor code, allegedly for having pre-marital sex with his girlfriend.

This picks makes sense because Unga has so much upside, but the Bears are already pretty full at the running back position. With Matt Forte and Chester Taylor locks to make the team, Kahlil Bell, Garrett Wolfe and Brandon Minor will fight it out with Unga for the third and fourth spots. Unless the Bears use Unga at FB, where he would probably have the most success. If they used Unga as a FB, he could be a great goal line specialist.

Eddie Williams is the FB the Bears added to the roster in the offseason, maybe Unga can beat him out if not, Unga is a solid player to have develop on the practice squad.

Here’s what Unga had to say about being picked by the Bears:

”To be honest, I was surprised, they’re stacked up with running backs right now. They don’t need another back. I’m just going to come in there and bust my butt and make the best of the situation. I told them this is something they won’t regret and I’m a man of my word.”

Russ Lande of Sportingnews.com had this to say about Unga:

“In a season or two he should become a solid starting fullback who also contributes as a short yardage runner. To do so he must improve as a blocker.”

Final Thoughts:

Unga is probably just another camp body, but he is a very special player. If Unga can pick up the offense quickly and get settled in at FB, where the Bears should use him, than he could have some success. Unga has the talent, but will he use it, we might have to wait a while to find out.

All quotes from Chicagosuntimes.com