Just six weeks removed from the 2019 NFL Draft, there’s already hope the Steelers’ rookie linebacker and first-round selection will be able help fill the void left by injured veteran Ryan Shazier.
“He’s not the biggest guy, but he definitely walks with a presence, walks with a purpose,” outside linebacker T.J. Watt said, via ESPN.com. “He’s taken on a good role in knowing all the plays and being able to call some plays for us.”
Added Watt: “He’s quicker than snot. He’s been flying around and making a lot of good plays.”
Bush, who ran a 4.43 time during the 40-yard dash at the combine, was taken tenth overall out of Michigan after the Steelers traded up.
“He showed really quickly he’s going to be able to fit in well with the defense with that group of guys,” tight end Vance McDonald said. “When you look at him, you don’t expect him to be as quick or as agile as he is. There’s a couple of things he needs to work on: being more vocal, because of the role Coach Tomlin wants him to fit into quickly, and the expectation of him doing that. But that’s still such a young thing. You never want to overstep, especially when the pressure is on. I think that will come, especially in Latrobe as he gets the pads on.”
Bush, 20, had 172 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and an interception in 32 games over his three seasons with the Wolverines. He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year last year and was a huge part of coach Jim Harbaugh’s defense.
However, he raised eyebrows when he was seen on Michigan State’s field before the Wolverines’ big rivalry game trying to destroy the Spartans logo on the turf in the middle of the field.
Last month, he took to social media to shut down rumors that he was in trouble with police after an Instagram video of him surrounded by law enforcement went viral, calling it “false news.”
