Exit: Devin Bush Jr.
As we all expected he should, Devin Bush announced he will forego his senior season to enter the NFL Draft. He also will miss the Peach Bowl, and explained why:
God bless!! pic.twitter.com/dLgcZvU9Ee
— Devin Bush ll (@_Dbush11) December 19, 2018
As much as we regret not having our dear little deathbacker on the field later this month, I think we all would have regretted it more if Bush had reaggravated that ginger hip in a meaningless less meaningful game. It's clear he was considering playing anyway. Alas, Bush swinging from the shoulders of two trainers as the wheels fell off against Ohio State will be the final image Michigan fans will see of one of the best linebackers to ever come through the program, and the previously #1 defense in the country will play its bowl game without its literal and emotional core.
From the beginning Harbaugh pursued Bush, a three-star to most sites for most of his recruitment, with the same furor that Bush pursued quarterbacks, allowing onetime 4-star commit David Reese to switch to Florida and five-star-to-some Caleb Kelly to join Oklahoma with less than five-star resistance. Harbaugh planned his biggest satellite camp of 2016 at Bush's high school, recruited Bush's teammates Josh Metellus and Devin Gil—both of whom are now starters—and later hired Bush's head coach, who also happens to be a Florida State All-American and Bush's dad, Devin Bush Sr., to an important position on staff. The legacy of Bush's recruitment is now enshrined in two ridiculous NCAA rules—satellite camps and hiring people associated with recruits—pushed by programs upset that Michigan got to enjoy a true Southern talent without resorting to their more southern strategies.
That all-out pursuit paid off as Bush earned the primary backup role at middle linebacker as a true freshman, and exploded into a future first rounder in his first game as a sophomore starter. Many tried, but no ballcarrier ever managed to find an edge that Bush couldn't beat him to, and late in his career Bush was picking up a horse-crap personal foul per game by appearing in a quarterback's chest faster than a Big Ten ref's neurological network could process it. MGoBlog's Upon Further Review scoring comes every year with a disclaimer that linebacking is hard and an equal number of plus and minus plays is a good outing, and Bush is only the second guy in the blog's history—after David Harris—to ever challenge that expectation by grading consistently well into the positive. This season the degree and amplitude of Bush's impact on the field was hardly a secret known only to the wonks who watch every play: Devin was a consensus All-American and the face of an elite defense.
The face of an elite defense. [Paul Sherman]
It would be nice for Michigan if the NFL hadn't in recent years grown wise to the fact that a 5'11" rabid death squirrel is more valuable to the modern game than the neck-rolly rageoholics they used to prefer. Since they have, despite his size, Bush is a near lock for the first round. Whichever franchise is smart enough to trade up when he's still available in the middle of it won't regret that decision any more than Michigan has.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
I hope he is healthy for the combine. Really want to see what he runs the 40 in. Plus, he should shred the combine and really improve his stock.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:27 AM ^
It's kind of sad to hear an NY six bowl considered a "meaningless game". It used to be the culmination of the season and an opportunity for the team to put an exclamation point on an outstanding season.
With that being said, best of luck Mr. Bush. I look forward to following your NFL career.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:29 AM ^
Great job at Michigan and good luck at the next level. So hoping that he's on the board when the Pats pick, they need an infusion of speed at linebacker. Need an infusion of speed and talent everywhere!!!!
December 19th, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^
Well, the Pats are at 5 Ls now, so if they drop a couple more he might be right there when they pick.
Assuming, that is they don't end up in the SB again. Then they pick 31 or 32...
December 19th, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^
Best of Luck Devin. I loved watching you play at Michigan and look forward to following your NFL career!
December 19th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
Good luck Mr. Bush
December 19th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
One of the best to wear a winged helmet. Congrats Devin.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
Whoever is the fastest remaining LB should take his spot in the bowl game.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^
Congratulations to Devin Bush ! Go make us proud with a great NFL career.
BTW, this is great for recruiting ... come to UM where we make NFL first rounders as juniors!!!
December 19th, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^
What a tremendous football player. He brought an emotional edge to the defense that was much needed and then backed it up by morphing into a human heat seeking missile. I will miss not seeing him again in maize and blue however I appreciate that without a doubt he gave his heart and soul to the program and look forward to seeing him fly sideline to sideline in the NFL. I pray that he never wears the silver and honolulu blue on the next level. This young man doesn't deserve that. Go Blue.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:42 AM ^
I for one am not too concerned about that. Bush will delight some smart, modern thinking franchise that's building around speed but Detroit's franchise is one of the more behind the times offices.
December 19th, 2018 at 2:41 PM ^
He would look pretty sweet in a Bears jersey next to Roquan Smith, blitzing behind Mack. That would be frightening.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:48 AM ^
I hope the Browns dump Jamie Collins and take Bush mid-first...Peppers and Bush reunited in Orange/Brown!
December 19th, 2018 at 10:50 AM ^
My enduring image of him will always be the rage fit in slow-mo after the MSU shenanigans, when his teammates were holding him back and there were some Spartans looking at him with an "Oh shit, what did we just do?" look on their face.
Well, that and the constant blur of him coming from somewhere way off screen to blow up a play that for a moment looked like a big gain. You wouldn't need to see a number before knowing who it was, just from the sheer predatory nature of the pursuit and tackle. It was reminiscent of watching the Discovery Channel.
Let him forever be the face of 3-star recruiting.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:08 AM ^
Thank you Devin for all you’ve done for our great university. Good luck in your recovery and in the league! Good to see dreams do come true!
But man....seems like only a couple months ago I saw him in the stadium concourse, eating nachos with his parents on his recruiting trip....kids these days, they grow up so fast....lol
December 19th, 2018 at 11:10 AM ^
Congrats DB! Looking forward to following your career in the pros.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:10 AM ^
Thanks for all you have done for the football program at UM, Devin. You always played with heart and turned in consistently impressive performances. Good luck with your future career.
You'll be a hard act to follow.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:11 AM ^
You had me at 5'11 rabid death squirrel!
December 19th, 2018 at 11:26 AM ^
Good night, sweet prince. Best of luck in the NFL and beyond.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:26 AM ^
Wish him luck, and he had a great career at Michigan. Look forward to him destroying plays in the NFL for a decade.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:31 AM ^
I don't post very often but I had to login to show my appreciation for Devin Bush. One of my favorite players at my favorite position in football. He always played with intensity and force. He always seemed to be a great teammate as well. Thanks for coming to this great university we love so much and I hope all the best for you in your future. Go Blue!
December 19th, 2018 at 12:00 PM ^
Man, I loved watching you. Good luck and God speed! I know you will be great! And if you haven’t already come back and get that degree when you have time away from the league!
December 19th, 2018 at 12:08 PM ^
MGoBlog going to be MGoBlog...¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Thank you Devin Bush for your talent and work and good luck in the NFL
December 19th, 2018 at 12:16 PM ^
Best of luck to the young man in all future endeavors.
December 19th, 2018 at 12:19 PM ^
Good luck Devin. I'd be curious to know what injury he suffered exactly, but if he's not feeling 100%, he shouldn't risk reinjury by playing.
I'm excited to see how he does in the NFL.
December 19th, 2018 at 12:29 PM ^
I will miss this heat-seeking missile. Definitely one of my favorite players from the last 25 years. Talented, aggressive, productive and effective.
December 19th, 2018 at 12:55 PM ^
Thank you Mr. Bush. Much love and success to you.
December 19th, 2018 at 1:02 PM ^
What fun it has been to watch Devin Bush play with such fire and hustle! I’ll certainly miss him, as will the team.
As for the bowl game...the playoffs have done their best to kill off the significance of other bowls. Whether that’s good or bad, it’s a big factor in evaluating their importance. And that being the case, the playoffs should expand to include more teams, so more bowls will be regarded as important. It’s a shame that the PAC 10 and B1G aren’t in the playoffs, every power 5 conference champion really should be there. I also think Notre Dame should join a full-time conference, or be ineligible.
However, I still think this game is important to the program, and it’s a shame that some of our star players can’t be in it, even though I respect their decisions, especially in view of their injuries this season and their pro draft stock.
December 19th, 2018 at 1:36 PM ^
We all knew this was coming but it still sucks for us anyway. He was the epitome of what you want in a player. Comes willing to work. Works his ass off. Gets really good and dominates. We'll always have that running across the field tackle that amazed us so much.
God Speed Devin! Dominate the NFL
December 19th, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^
December 19th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
Thank you Devin for being a wonderful player and leader for this team in 2018. Devin is the kind of player I want at Michigan: mature, talented, a leader, and above all - no plays off. Never saw this guy give up on a play or exhibit any kind of 50-50 tendency.
He's a scrapper, a dog, a warrior. Screw recruit rankings when you have this kind of heart and mindset packaged in this kind of player and talent. I don't care if a guy is "too small" or a "rabid squirrel" or a "tweener" -- he made this defense very good-to-great the last two years through his mind, his speed and his sheer will. Really deserving dude.
Really appreciate it sir. Look forward to seeing you get paid and get made in the NFL!
December 19th, 2018 at 2:21 PM ^
i look forward to seeing him murdering people in the pro bowl for years to come.
December 19th, 2018 at 2:38 PM ^
Well put, Seth. He's one of the best LB's we've ever had. Fuck Yo Couch will live forever.
Too bad I read 80 comments that solely focused on whether the Peach Bowl was meaningful or not.
December 19th, 2018 at 3:37 PM ^
Seth
Just a heads up the guy on the right carrying Devin Bush off the field is not a trainer. He's Dr. Asheesh Bedi team doc here, to the Lions and lead ortho consultant to the NBA who cares enough to carry a 250 lb player 60 yards down a tunnel
That's team mentality. Let's support the team here even if it's against a gator squad that we might not be excited about.
December 19th, 2018 at 3:37 PM ^
Seth
Just a heads up the guy on the right carrying Devin Bush off the field is not a trainer. He's Dr. Asheesh Bedi team doc here, to the Lions and lead ortho consultant to the NBA who cares enough to carry a 250 lb player 60 yards down a tunnel
That's team mentality. Let's support the team here even if it's against a gator squad that we might not be excited about.
December 19th, 2018 at 3:56 PM ^
December 19th, 2018 at 4:16 PM ^
Get better, then take the NFL by storm, Devin!
December 19th, 2018 at 6:57 PM ^
Thank you Devin! It was a blast watching you at Michigan.
December 19th, 2018 at 7:42 PM ^
Loved this piece Seth! Excellent work!
December 19th, 2018 at 9:23 PM ^
Thank you Devin Bush for playing with such passion and tenacity. You made me want to take on a block for you just so you could tee off again.
From the outside looking in it seems like you have great class. Continued success with your career and handle your business sir.
P.S. Michigan players remember how much he hates Sparty!
Go Blue!
December 19th, 2018 at 9:34 PM ^
Devin, it was an absolute pleasure. Best of luck, and Go Blue!
December 20th, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^
I will be rooting for you on Sundays wherever you end up. It was a tremendous pleasure watching you wreck people the last few years.
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