Bears take Oregon St S Hardin

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) The Chicago Bears have drafted Oregon State safety Brandon Hardin with the 79th pick overall in the third round of the NFL draft.

Hardin is taller and heavier than all the other Bears secondary players at 6-foot-2, 222 pounds. He has played cornerback in addition to safety.

Hardin missed the 2011 season due to a broken shoulder. He made seven career interceptions in his first three seasons.

The Bears opened the draft Thursday by picking defensive end Shea McClellin of Boise State with the 19th overall selection. They picked South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in the second round earlier Friday.

Updated April 27, 2012