Thread: Round 3 Pick 16 (79) Bears Select S Brandon Hardin

Round 3 Pick 16 (79) Bears Select S Brandon Hardin

Notes:
A track standout as a Hawaiian prep. Redshirted in 2007. Saw action in 13 games at cornerback in ’08, making 13 tackles, zero pass breakups and no interceptions with half a tackle for loss. Fractured his left hand and right wrist in early October against Utah and played the rest of the season with the injuries. Was part of a three-man rotation at cornerback in ’09 while playing in all 13 games with three starts at right cornerback and recording 29-4-1. Made all 12 starts at RCB in ’10 with 63-3-0 with 1 1⁄2 tackles for loss, one sack, three forced fumbles and one blocked extra point. Graduated in June. Missed the ’11 season after suffering a broken shoulder, which required surgery, during fall camp but returned to play in the East-West Shrine Game in January ’12.

Positives:
Excellent size and athletic ability. Has played corner and safety and has extensive experience locked in man coverage. Good balance, hip flex, change of direction and body control for his size. Can turn and run vertical. Zone-aware. Supports the run aggressively. Heavy hitter. Plays with awareness and football intelligence. Has the traits and mentality for special teams. Outstanding character and makeup.

Negatives:
Could improve press technique. Average pedal fluidity. Lacks ideal explosion and recovery burst to survive on an island. Stressed by smaller, quicker receivers (gives up separation at the top of stems). Minimal ball production. Does not always arrive under control to tackle. At times gets wired to blocks. Relatively inexperienced (only one full season as a starter).Summary:Intriguing size-speed prospect who looks like a safety and was athletic enough to play corner in college. Has desirable intangibles and at worst should be a versatile, valuable backup and core special-teams player. Has more upside than former OSU safety Sabby Piscitelli, who was overdrafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007.