Bears Select Fullerton’s Jim Thornton

Jim Thornton, an all-Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. tight end for Cal State Fullerton, was taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft Sunday by the Chicago Bears. Thornton was the 105th pick overall.

Thornton, 6-feet 3-inches and 250 pounds, had 17 catches for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns last season, before a knee injury forced him to miss the season’s final three games.

He raised his value in the draft with a fine performance in the Hula Bowl last January, said Gene Murphy, Fullerton coach.

“I was too nervous to watch it (the draft) on television,” Thornton said. “I got a call and they asked me what I thought of the Chicago Bears. I told them I liked the team and the caller said that was good because I was just drafted by them.”

Thornton came to Fullerton from Analy High School in Sebastopol, Calif. where he played quarterback. His first season at Fullerton he was a quarterback but didn’t play. He switched to tight end as a sophomore.

He finished his career at Fullerton with 48 catches for 571 yards and 5 touchdowns.