Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 234 pounds
School: Michigan Wolverines
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.43 seconds (tied for second-best among linebackers)
Bench press: 21 reps
Vertical jump: 40.5 inches (best among linebackers)
Broad jump: 10 feet, 4 inches (tied for third-best among linebackers)
Three-cone drill: 6.93 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.23 seconds
Devin Bush II 2019 NFL Draft Profile
The NFL of today contains some of the best athletes in the world. The very limits of what a human body is capable of are being challenged every snap. From spectacular catches to outrageous pass breakups, general managers are looking for players whose athleticism and character stand out. One of those players is Michigan’s Devin Bush II. Bush is the current Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-American. After an outstanding junior year campaign, he is set to make an impact at the next level.
If you are looking for an impact player on defense, Bush is your guy. Bush is a tremendous tackler. Additionally, he can cover as well as a defensive back. This was on full display all year and more importantly at the Combine. After checking all of the boxes at the Combine and his Pro Day, scouts joked that he ran the coverage drills better than any of the defensive backs. Bush frequently finds himself blowing up the play before it has time to develop. Bush totaled 67 total tackles and five sacks in 2018. The one thing that separates him from the pack is the hip quickness. Bush is able to turn without throttling down and can quickly recover with his top-notch acceleration. With all of his tangibles and ambitious mindset, Bush will even bolster an already established defense.
Yo Mich LB @_Dbush11 just did this drill better than 90% of the defensive backs who did this drill at the combine 👀👀🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/NY6WgZSutl
— Will Blackmon 🍷 (@WillBlackmon) March 16, 2019
In December, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked about Bush’s departure by Jon Jansen on the IMG Network’s Inside Michigan Football radio show. Harbaugh had this to say about losing Bush to the NFL:
“He’s had a stellar career,” Harbaugh said of Bush. “He’s an All-American, someone who’s gonna have his picture up on the All-American wall. I think it’s gonna be ingrained in our minds of number 10 running and hitting and making plays sideline-to-sideline. I even said it earlier – you recruit players now, and you say, ‘He’s gonna be like Devin,’ or, ‘Could this guy be another Devin Bush?’ And you’re out there looking for that player.
This is high praise from a coach in Jim Harbaugh who has been coaching for 16 years. Harbaugh allowed his team to vote for their captains and Bush was a unanimous pick as one of the key leaders of the team. Harbaugh knows that Bush’s departure leaves a huge void. However, he knows that Bush will find success at the next level. Losing a team captain and defensive star hurts Michigan but will be another teams fortune as Bush has his target set for the NFL Draft on April 25.
Strengths
- instinctive player who routinely makes the right reads;
- sure tackler – does not wait for contact but rather initiates it;
- can cover any skill player;
- make-up speed if there is an early or late misstep;
- hip quickness is elite – he can turn and break toward the ball in an instant;
- effective in pass rushing;
- a quick decision-maker who will blow up a play if he sees a window;
- a three-Down player who does not need to come off the field for any scenario;
- well-coached and respected amongst his teammates.
Weaknesses
- under six feet tall but his vertical skills regularly make up for this “flaw”;
- can improve better pursuit leverage and feel for angles;
- occasionally runs himself out of tackle attempts by coming in too steep;
- linemen can leverage him on the second level;
- needs to improve fighting off blocks and work on block slip moves.
NFL Comparison: Myles Jack
Teams With Need at Position: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins.
Projection: Mid first to early second round pick
Bottom Line
Bush is by every definition a playmaker. Football is in his blood. His father Devin Bush was an NFL safety for seven years. Bush’s father won Super Bowl XXXIV while on the St. Louis Rams. Naturally, his son took to football and became one of the best players at his position in the country. He is ready to make his own mark in the league and hopefully find a championship ring on his finger just like his father.
The tape does not lie. Every game, you will find number 10 in blue or white fly across your screen and regularly make a play. Some call him undersized but that did not stop Bush from becoming the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. This is even more impressive because the Big Ten produces some of the best lineman and linebackers in the nation. This conference is known for its intense competitiveness and rich rivalries. Bush is passionate about the name on the front of his uniform and will fight every down to ensure his team walks away victorious.
Overall, Bush will have his name called regularly at the next level. He is a natural leader and has a true talent at consistently making plays. If your NFL team is in need of a linebacker, look no further. Bush is the right pick. He will become a fan favorite and your kids will be asking for his jersey before Christmas.
