Recent Reggie Bush Notes
Reggie Bush
his bread-and-butter is his outside running skills. bush shows good patience waiting for his blocks to develop and has an explosive burst through the seam or when turning the outside corner. he excels at separating in the open and has outstanding lateral range. when he clears the line of scrimmage, he can make precise cuts to turn up field. the thing you see on film is bush's ability to shift gears naturally, much like marshall faulk (rams) during his prime. he demonstrates that rare additional burst to pull away from the defenders and few runners in football can shift gears as naturally as bush. in the open, he is a multiple-move wiggle runner, but not the type that will run over defenders.
His ball security is generally good, putting the ball on the ground only three times in 2005. He shows outstanding awareness to protect the ball, especially on returns, and despite his size, can take a pounding and still hold on to the ball. He carries the ball well in either arm and is very conscious of protecting it from the defenders.
his is a very instinctive runner with outstanding field vision. he sees holes and cutback lanes naturally, setting up and using his blocks well. bush excels at changing gears and setting up his moves with head fakes and loose hips. he shows deceptive leg thrusts to break tackles, but is not a power runner type that defenders bounce off when he's at full speed. he is more the type that has the feel and anticipation ability to pick through trash. he slides and hits the seams with good urgency and can jump cut through even the smallest of creases.
Bush is not physically stout, but has outstanding balance in his running stride to run past would-be tacklers. You will not see him pushing the pile, but he will not shy away from contact, lowering his head and squaring his shoulders to gain additional yardage. He runs with good pad level when near contact and bursts through arm tackles, showing the body lean to fall forward.
negatives
Has a lean, angular frame that could be close to maximum growth potential (210 pounds)...Attacks holes aggressively, but is not physically stout enough to move the pile...Must rely on his speed and elusiveness, as he is not strong enough to have defenders bounce off him...Adequate blocker vs. the blitz, but will get pushed around quite a bit when asked to block at the line of scrimmage...Size limits his effectiveness when asked to neutralize linebackers in the second level...Had ball security issues in 2004 (seven fumbles), but improved in 2005, as he was more conscious of protecting the ball in the open field.
bush has a lean frame with good muscle development, but might not have much room for additional growth (210-pound weight potential). he has good calf and bubble thickness along with the lower body strength to push the pile. he has excellent quickness and speed to easily win foot races heading up field. his balance allows him to pick his way through trash and keep his feet when meeting initial contact. he also demonstrates above average change of direction agility with an outstanding burst to shift, cut and race through the holes.
His rare speed and quickness are evident, but with his lean frame, it is surprising to see him consistently break tackles and keep his feet when working his way through a crowd. There is no hesitation in his initial step, as he shows superb acceleration attacking the holes. He seems to get to top speed after only a few steps and has a sudden burst through the crease. Once he clears the line of scrimmage, the victor of that foot race is usually Bush.
positives
Has good body lean, running at a low pad level...Explosive runner who gets to top speed almost instantly and attacks the holes with no hesitation...Has rare instincts and excellent field vision, seeing holes and cutback lanes naturally...Generates deceptive leg thrusts to break tackles and has above average balance...Runs hard when near contact and will generally fall forward...Has a sudden burst up the seam or when bouncing to the outside...Shifts gears quickly and excels at pulling away from the defenders...Has that rare quickness to slide and that multiple hip wiggle to make the initial tackler miss... Carries the ball well in either hand and does a good job of securing it when running through traffic...Shows solid route running ability, especially on flares and screens, but also excels at eating up the cushion and getting behind defenders on deep routes...Very dependable receiver and returner with the natural hands to extend and field the ball away from his frame...Has the field vision and burst to take the ball long distances on punt and kickoff returns, but also is patient enough to let his blocks develop.
as a route runner, bush runs flares and screens effectively. he is a good hands catcher who is very effective when working underneath. he will catch away from his frame and it is rare to see him let the ball into his body. in 2004 vs. virginia tech, he constantly beat all-american cornerback jimmy williams (three touchdown catches) on deep routes and has the valid hands to line wide and the burst to catch coming out of the backfield. as a return specialist, he is very consistent fielding the ball and using his vision, speed and burst to take the ball long distances.
Bush is not asked to do much as a blocker, but will not hesitate to "put his hat up" in pass protection, doing a functional job picking up the blitz. He is a non-factor blocking in-line or as a lead blocker, as his lean frame will generally see him get bounced around or pushed back through the rush lanes. In the open field, he is better as a cut blocker, but a lack of ideal hand strength limits him when trying to stone a linebacker.
2002: Missed four games during his high school senior year with a fractured wrist. 2005: Underwent arthroscopic left shoulder surgery during spring drills...Suffered a right knee sprain vs. Arizona (10/08).
Campus: 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash
5.85 50-meters
10.42 100-meters
21.06 200-meters
340-pound bench press
300-pound power clean
36-inch vertical jump
32 1/4-inch arm length
9 3/8-inch hands.
Attended Helix (La Mesa, Ca.) High School
2002 Parade, Super Prep, Prep Star, Student Sports and Prep Football Report All-American (and the top running back)
Added USA Today All-USA first-team, Tom Lemming Super Team, Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star Top 100 Dream Team, The Sporting News Hot 100, FOX Sports 50, Tom Lemming Top 100, Super Prep All-Far West, Prep Star All-West, Tom Lemming All-West and Tacoma News Tribune Western 100 honors that year
Listed on the Orange County Register Fab 15, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West, Cal-Hi Sports All-State and All-CIF San Diego Section first-teams, in addition to garnering San Diego Union-Tribune Offensive MVP and All-Grossmont South League Offensive MVP accolades as a senior
During his career, Bush rushed for 4,995 yards (averaging 12.0 a carry) and scored 450 points
Rushed for 1,691 yards on 140 carries (12.1 avg) with 27 touchdowns in 2002, despite missing four games with a broken wrist. Helix advanced to the CIF San Diego Section Division II finals that year
As a junior in 2001, he made the Cal-Hi Sports All-State and All-CIF San Diego Section first-team in addition to earning CIF Offensive MVP honors
Gained 2,200-plus yards, averaged 36.4 yards per rushing touchdown, scored 204 points (on 34 touchdowns, including six on receptions and two on punt returns) and had 3,135 all-purpose yards in 2001
Also competed in track, placing third in the 2002 California state 100 meters final and posting bests of 10.42 seconds in the 100 (the fastest prep time in California in 2002 and the fastest among the nation's 2002 senior footballers) and 21.06 in the 200 meters (third fastest prep in California in 2002)
Also placed second in the boys' 50-meter dash in 5.85 at the 2003 Los Angeles Invitational Indoor Meet.
Political Science major
Nickname is "The President" (because of that, he humorously was singled out in remarks by President George W. Bush during USC's national championship visit to the White House in March of 2004)
Covered the 2003 Super Bowl as a reporter for NFLHS.com
Born 3/02/85
Resides in Spring Valley, California.
Physical Attributes:
| Proj Rd: | 1.0 |
| Height: | 5-11 |
| Weight: | 201.0 |
| Forty: | 4.37 |
| Arm: | |
| Hand: | |
| Wingspan: | -- |
Pro Day Results:
| Cone: | -- |
| Bench: | 24.0 |
| Shuttle: | -- |
| 10: | -- |
| 20: | -- |
| 40: | 4.37 |
| BJ: | 10'8" |
| VJ: | 40 1/2 |
Combine Results:
| Cone: | -- |
| Bench: | -- |
| Shuttle: | -- |
| 10: | -- |
| 20: | -- |
| 40: | -- |
| BJ: | -- |
| VJ: | -- |