Bears Pick Unga in Supplemental Draft

PROVO -- Former BYU running back Harvey Unga was drafted Thursday by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Supplemental Draft.

Unga is the first Cougar taken in an NFL supplemental draft since Steve Young and Gordon Hudson were both taken in the first round of the league's USFL/CFL supplemental draft in 1984.

A 6-foot, 244-pound running back, Unga was the first of just two players selected in this year’s supplemental draft. The Bears took Unga with the 12th pick in the seventh round, and the Dallas Cowboys selected Illinois defensive tackle Josh Price-Brent 18 spots later. The Bears and Cowboys will forego their seventh-round picks in the 2011 NFL Draft because they used supplemental choices.

The Cougars’ all-time leading rusher is the ninth BYU player to be drafted by the Chicago Bears. Cougars previously selected by the Bears include offensive lineman Evan Pilgrim (1995, third round), running back Lakei Heimuli (1987, ninth round), wide receiver Glen Kozlowski (1986, 11th round), quarterback Jim McMahon (1982, first round, fifth pick), defensive lineman Mekeli Ieremia (1978, sixth round), quarterback Virgil Carter (1967, sixth round), tackle Dennis Brewster (1966, sixth round) and back Richard Chatterton (1946, 14th round).

Unga becomes the 11th Cougar running back to be drafted by the NFL. Other BYU running backs to be drafted include Fui Vakapuna (seventh round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009); Doak Walker Award winner Luke Staley (seventh round by the Detroit Lions in 2002); Dustin Johnson (sixth round by the New York Jets in 1998); Lakei Heimuli (ninth round by the Chicago Bears in 1987); Vai Sikahema (10th round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986); Scott Phillips (fourth round by the Seattle Seahawks in 1981); Todd Christensen (second round by the Dallas Cowboys in 1978); Pete VanValkenburg (third round by the New Orleans Saints in 1973); and Allan Robinson (16th round by the Detroit Lions in 1964). Christensen went on to become a Pro Bowl tight end in the NFL.

An All-MWC First Team selection last season, Unga finished his career at BYU with a school-record 3,455 yards and 696 rushing attempts while helping BYU achieve a 32-7 record and consistent top-25 rankings during his career, including a No. 12 final ranking in 2009. He added 102 receptions for 1,085 yards with nine touchdowns through the air to complement his 36 rushing scores.

Named a Freshman All-American and MWC Freshman of the Year in 2007, Unga set freshman records in rushing yards, all-purpose yards, games rushing 100 yards, and most rushing touchdowns in a game. The Provo, Utah, native eventually racked up three-straight 1,000-yard seasons and broke 10 BYU and nine MWC records.

To view Unga’s bio, click here.