2007 NFL Draft: Michael Bush Has A Leg To Stand On

By: Jeremy White, NFLHS.com

Michael Bush is a physical specimen. At 6-foot-2 and 247 pounds, he is strong enough to run over linebackers and fast enough to outrun defensive backs. His arm is pretty good, too, though he never really showed it off in college.

Bush, who hopes to overcome a severe injury and enjoy a productive NFL career, was a force to be reckoned with at the University of Louisville. Before that, however, he was one of the most prolific high school football players in history.

As the embodiment of versatility, he played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive back, linebacker and defensive end during his stint at Male High School in Louisville, Kentucky.

The jack-of-all-trades didn't just play multiple positions, either - he played them well. Following his junior season in 2001, Bush was the top vote-getter for all-state honors at five of the six positions he played!

By: Andy Lyons, Getty Images

"I did it all in high school," he says. "Wherever the coach needed me, I played. Offense, defense, running back, whatever."

That coach, Bob Redman (father of former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Chris Redman), knew he had a talented player on his hands and turned Bush loose. In 2002, Bush was named Kentucky's Mr. Football in addition to receiving a slew of other awards.

That season, he guided the Male Bulldogs to a 14-1 mark and a runner-up finish in the 4A state finals. He completed 190 of 304 passes for 2,891 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 131 times for 911 yards and seven scores, and caught 17 passes for 152 yards and three TDs. In the state championship game, he threw for 468 yards and six touchdowns (while running for 116 yards and a TD) in a 59-56 loss.

His junior year, Bush spent most of his time at wideout, where he caught 64 passes for 1,090 yards and 22 scores. He's ranked fourth on Kentucky's all-time receiving list with 180 career receptions for 3,031 yards and 37 TDs. He ran for 1,586 career yards (with 25 touchdowns on the ground) and threw for 3,379 yards and 40 scores.

"Originally, I was supposed to be a quarterback when I got to college," he says, "but things change."

Things certainly changed for Bush when he sustained the aforementioned injury - a broken leg suffered during the first game of the 2006 college football season that threatened his career.

The ironic thing is that Bush wanted to declare for the NFL draft after his junior season but opted to return to Louisville because he wasn't projected as a first-round draft pick. Now, he's just hoping an NFL team will give him a chance to prove his leg can hold up.

"The way I look at it is that I saved my body from the punishment it takes during a football season," says Bush.

Bush says young football players can learn about perseverance from his situation at Louisville. He says high school running backs can also learn some off-the-field lessons.

"You don't have to be a big, strong, physical back to be a leader," he says. "I was still a team leader even when I couldn't be on the field. Try to be a nice guy and be humble, and stay positive if you go through an injury. It takes time to bounce back."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.