UPDATED: 9:51: Bears select WR Bennett with 70th overall pick

The Bears stayed on offense to start the third round with another Vanderbilt player, WR Earl Bennett.

UPDATED 9:41:

College scouting director Greg Gabriel said the Bears had Bennett ranked higher on their draft board than most of the 10 receivers who went in the second round Saturday.

He is the SEC’s all-time leading receiver after just three seasons in school.

“He’s got great quickness, and he’s a very good route runner,” offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. “Very intelligent.

“I know some people are comparing him to Hines Ward, probably because of the size and the way he competes. Very productive and very competitive. We’ll give him an opportunity to come in and compete right away.”

Check back soon for more. We’ll have a story on Bennett posted very soon.

UPDATED: 9:51:

As you can imagine, Bennett loved the comparison to Pittsburgh Pro Bowl receiver and former Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward.

“That is a great comparison,” he said. “Hines Ward is one of the best wide receivers in the league right now. I’m delighted to be mentioned like him.”

But can you throw the ball like Ward?

“Of course I can throw the ball. I’ve completed two passes in my career, one for a touchdown.”

Bennett woke up his former college teammate Chris Williams when he called him this morning to tell him he’d been chosen by the Bears as well.”