Feature Presentation

The NFL draft. It is a day unlike any other for league executives. Scouts and general managers earn their pay checks, coaches lose their hair, and the best of college football get a shot at the good life and the millions that go with it.

Enter 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. The human highlight reel put together a college career that included the best in individual and team accomplishments. He set himself apart on the field and off of it. Frequent readers of this column will realize that I like to praise the good guys as often as I can, and this weekend's draft gives me an opportunity to heap praise on Bush.

If you don't know about the running back's exploits on the gridiron, then you have more than likely taken up residence under a local rock for the last two plus years. Spin moves, jukes, and explosion are staples of his game. Since he first laced up the cleats, he has wowed onlookers by using these qualities, but it was not until this season that Bush showed his value as an every down back and the type of guy who could carry a franchise to glory. It is fair to speculate from this chair that, without Bush, USC would have struggled to win eight games last season. But now Bush looks to step his game up to the next level, where he will once again have to prove to the football world that he is worthy of all of the labels.

Parrish:
Mock Draft

Nelson:
Mock Draft

Engstrom:
Mock Draft

DuBose:
Reggie Bush is Red Hot

Dr. Crab:
Take My Heisman, Please!

Walling:
Bush + Denver = ???

Bush has been compared to Gale Sayers and the unmistakable O.J. Simpson. Like the great ball carriers before him, he possesses the intangibles. Greater than his vision, his work ethic, or even his personable nature is his will to succeed. His drive for success has led him from the troubled roads of San Diego, through the storied streets of Compton and has him knocking at the door of the NFL. On Saturday, some lucky NFL executive will be there to answer the knock and will hold up a typical draft day jersey; taking pictures and probably having no idea what a valuable commodity was just added to his football franchise.

Bush must go number one in this draft, and he must achieve greatness in the National Football League.He does not know how to fail. No one knows that better than last year's #1 overall pick, Alex Smith. Smith attended Helix High School and was a sophomore when the flashy Bush made his grand entrance to the high school stage. In an interview with San Diego's Tom Shanahan, Smith recalled the running back's first day on the job when he said that '"We were playing 7-on-7 with no pads and I threw a crossing route to him," Smith recalled. "It was a joke -- guys were diving at him and they couldn't touch him. He was still a freshman and these were talented varsity guys that he was making look ridiculous. He'd go untouched. That's when I knew he was special. It was funny to watch him." Soon, the rest of the NFL will know what Smith discovered almost eight years ago.

I spent the bulk of my day yesterday lying out in the sun, soaking up the rays and thinking about what I would write about Bush. I left with a head full of ideas, and stinging sunburn on every inch of my body. In a couple of days, my sunburn will turn to brown, but Reggie Bush will still be red hot. On draft day, he will be rewarded for a career of excellent football and the world will meet the real Reggie Bush: a well-spoken, talented, and dynamic man.

You can reach Coby DuBose @ cdubose@featurepresentationonline.com.