Michael Bush RB 6'1 243 Louisville

Bush was an all world athlete that many people had pegged for wide receiver or quarterback in college. He wanted to play running back, and made sure he stayed at the position. As a freshman, he ran for 503 yards and six touchdowns, while catching 17 balls for 240 yards and a touchdown. Continuing to share the load as a sophomore, Bush still put up impressive numbers. He finished the year with 734 yards and seven touchdowns, while hauling in 11 passes for 155 yards. As a junior, Bush blew up. His role got larger, and he came through. He ran for 1,143 yards and an amazing 23 touchdowns, while catching 21 balls for 253 yards and another touchdown, on his way to All Big East honors. Bush burst out of the gates as a senior, rushing for 129 yards and three touchdowns in the first half of Louisville’s first game, but then broke his fibula and missed the rest of the year.

There isn’t a more powerful running back in this years draft class. Bush is an absolute load to bring down. Not only does he have great size, but he is very strong, and is determined to fight for extra yardage when he hits a defender. What makes Bush standout though, is his speed. He has the ability to hit the corner and reel off big runs. He is a fantastic athlete, and could have played a number of positions at the college level. Bush uses that out of the backfield as a receiver, as he is capable of being a legit threat that has to be accounted for.

Bush has very good long range speed, but he doesn’t reach top gear very fast. He also doesn’t have the best change of direction ability. He is a power back, and with his raw power, these aren’t major concerns, but they are things that keep him below the Adrian Peterson’s of the world. The big issue is his health. He had to have a second surgery on his leg, and was not able to work out for teams in the post season.

Michael Bush has a lot of potential at the next level, and if healthy, has the look of a definite first round pick for a team looking for a workhorse back that can wear a team down. The second surgery has caused some questions about where he will be drafted, though his agent sent out letters to every team stating he was 99% healed, according to doctors. Bush could go anywhere from the second to the fourth round. He could end up being a real steal because of the injury, and some team will be very happy to land him.