After his record-breaking performance in 2005, many experts were anointing Bush as a favorite to win 2006 Heisman Trophy honors. After the first half of the '06 season opener, most football people agreed that he was well on his way to another fantastic season. However, only three minutes into the second half of the Kentucky clash, Bush suffered a right leg fracture that would bring his season and Louisville career to a close. Bush could have applied for a medical hardship and returned to the Cardinals in 2007, but he has decided instead to test his wares in the National Football League.

Called the best prep running back produced in the state of Kentucky and the city of Louisville since the Paul Hornung era, Bush spent his senior campaign at Male High School playing quarterback after seeing action at running back, wide receiver, defensive back, linebacker and defensive end over his career. He was regarded as the nation's top-rated safety and sixth-overall prospect by ESPN's Tom Lemming and the nation's 12th-ranked prospect by CollegeFootballNews.com. Bush was the nation's 26th-ranked prospect by The Sporting News, a four-star prospect by both TheInsiders.com and Rivals.com and rated the nation's 14th overall prospect by TheInsiders.com.

Bush was chosen Kentucky's Mr. Football as a senior after leading Male High to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the state title game. He was selected co-first-team Associated Press All-State quarterback, co-Paul Hornung Award winner, won the Frank Camp Award, won the Roy Kidd Award, was named Student Sports National Athlete of the Week and was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-Southern team. He was also named to Fox Sports Net South's CTSD All-South first-team and was the top vote getter for the 2001 Football All-State team at five different positions as a junior, when he hauled in 64 passes for 1,090 yards and 22 scores.

As a senior, Bush completed 190 of 304 passes (62.5 percent) for 2,891 yards and 35 touchdowns, rushed 131 times for 911 yards and seven scores and caught 17 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 33 of 47 passes for 468 yards and six touchdowns, rushed 24 times for 116 yards and a score and caught two passes for 24 yards in Male's 59-56 loss in the state finals.

Bush wrapped up his prep career ranked fourth in the state record books in career receiving yards with 180 catches for 3,031 yards (16.8 avg) and 37 touchdowns. He also rushed 256 times for 1,581 yards (6.2 avg) and 25 scores and completed 221 of 385 passes (57.4 percent) for 3,379 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Bush enrolled at Louisville in 2003, starting four of 13 games. He was a member of the Conference USA All-Freshman team, as he finished third on the squad with 503 yards and six touchdowns on 81 carries (6.2 avg). He caught 17 passes for 240 yards (14.1 avg) and a score while adding 48 yards on three kickoff returns (16.0 avg). Bush also completed 4 of 11 passes for 67 yards and a pair of touchdowns while recording two solo tackles.

Despite starting only 4 of 12 games in 2004, he ranked second on the team with 132 carries for 734 yards (5.6 avg) and seven touchdowns. Bush made eleven catches for 155 yards, gained 40 yards on two kickoff returns and hit on 1 of 2 passes for a 48-yard score to fellow tailback Kolby Smith. He also registered three tackles (2 solos).

In 2005, Bush set school single-season records for rushing touchdowns (23) and points scored (144). He led the nation in scoring with an average of 14.4 points per game, picking up All-Big East Conference first-team accolades. He ranked second in the conference with an average of 114.3 yards rushing and 139.6 all-purpose yards per game. He started eight of 10 games he played in, sitting out the Rutgers and Syracuse contests with a left foot bruise. Still, he paced the squad with 1,143 yards and 23 touchdowns on 205 attempts (5.6 avg). He was fifth on the team with 21 receptions for 253 yards (12.0 avg) and a score and also attempted one pass.

In a little more than half a game in 2006, Bush piled up 128 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns, ranking fifth on the team in rushing. He also had a 3-yard catch. In 36 games at Louisville, Bush started 17 times. He finished with 2,508 yards and 39 touchdowns on 435 carries (5.8 avg). He caught 50 passes for 651 yards (13.0 avg) and two scores while completing 5 of 14 passes (35.7 percent) for 115 yards and three touchdowns. He also recorded five tackles (four solos) and returned five kickoffs for 88 yards (17.6 avg).

Positives: For a player of his size, he shows very good foot agility and balance … Takes short, pitter-patter steps and demonstrates the loose hips to change direction and come out of his breaks with an explosive up-field burst … Very crisp planting and driving in his route cuts and has the feel for the crease and vision to locate the cutback lane … Intense competitor who will do whatever the coaches ask if it will help the team … It is very rare to see him run out of bounds with the ball, as he feels he can be more productive sinking his pads and driving with his legs to drag the opponent for extra yardage rather than taking the easy way out … Has that deceptive burst that allows him to surprise a lethargic defender … Does a nice job of changing angles, but can also build up to top speed quickly when operating deep in the backfield … Is not going to run away from defenders in the open just on pure speed, but can change gears, lower his pads and redirect smoothly to get past the second level (39 runs for 10 or more yards in 2005) … Shows patience waiting for holes to develop, but it is his ability to see the cutback lanes that is the result of his long run success … Most big backs tend to get erect in their stance, but Bush is capable of sinking his hips and keeping his pad level low … Because of his patience waiting for blocks to develop, Bush has had good success through the cutback lanes or bouncing outside to get big yardage … Has the loose hips to redirect and is quite nimble in the open for a player of his size … Even though he is a good downhill runner, his lateral bounce is more effectively used running outside … Does a nice job of staying low in his pads and has the smooth stride moving laterally to make the initial tackler miss … Can either juke the defender or slide step to elude … Sets up his cuts nicely when sliding and has the feet to take the ball long distances … Not only is Bush a capable third-down receiver, he has the natural hands and arm extension to catch away from his frame (13 of his 21 catches in 2005 produced first downs) … Catches the ball cleanly and does a good job extending for the off-target throws … Has that deceptive quickness to get open underneath and does a nice job adjusting and settling in the soft areas.

Negatives: Has a thick frame that can carry additional bulk, but needs to add overall muscle definition … Has a soft midsection, big bubble, good lower frame thickness, but only adequate strength … Adequate student with a mediocre Wonderlic score (12) that might set off some red flags, but has a natural feel for the crease and the ability to recognize coverages … Will need to improve his overall strength for the next level, as he is not a power back who will obliterate tacklers that get in his way, but does use his size and leg drive efficiently to break tackles … Adequate performer who needs structure in the training and dining room tables, as his weight has been a problem in the past and his lack of overall muscle tone is the result of his dislike for lifting weights. However, he seems to be conforming more to the program in the past year … Still has that mentality that he would much rather avoid and elude defenders than run over them … With more lower body strength and a better compact build, it will allow him to gain better success in attempts to run through arm tackles down field … Despite his mass, he is not a pile mover (stopped 13 times for losses and 19 times for no gain in 10 2005 games) working inside and needs to get stronger in order to attack the second level … In the 2005 Cincinnati game, he failed to distribute the ball away from the defender, resulting in three lost fumbles … Willing in-line blocker who uses his body well to occupy the smaller defenders at the line of scrimmage, but his lack of ideal power is evident when facing up to the down linemen … Tries to square up, but lacks the strong hand punch to lock on and sustain.

Compares To: Greg Jones -- Jacksonville … Bush is not as well-built or strong as Jones, but when both are healthy they are capable of moving the chains with their deceptive speed, stutter-step running style and natural hands as a catcher out of the backfield. Both have also had injury issues that have affected their play in recent years.

2003: Missed April camp after undergoing surgery to have a screw placed in his fractured right foot.

2005: Suffered a left foot bone bruise vs. Pittsburgh (11/03), sitting out the next two games vs. Rutgers and Syracuse.

2006: Missed April Pro Day due to soreness in his left foot … Suffered a right leg fracture in the second half of the season opener vs. Kentucky (9/02), sitting out the rest of the year.

Campus: 4.63 in the 40-yard dash … 335-pound bench press … Bench presses 225 pounds 13 times … 460-pound back squat … 328-pound hang clean … 30-inch vertical jump … 32-inch arm length … 9-inch hands … Left-handed … 12/25 Wonderlic score.

Attended Louisville (Ky.) Male High School, playing football for head coach Bobby Redman … Called the best prep running back produced in the state of Kentucky and the city of Louisville since the Paul Hornung era … Spent his senior campaign playing quarterback after seeing action at running back, wide receiver, defensive back, linebacker and defensive end over his career … Regarded as the nation's top-rated safety and sixth-overall prospect by ESPN's Tom Lemming and the nation's 12th-ranked prospect by College Football News … Was the nation's 26th-ranked prospect by The Sporting News, a four-star prospect by both TheInsiders.com and Rivals.com and rated the nation's 14th overall prospect by TheInsiders.com … Chosen Kentucky's Mr. Football as a senior after leading Male High to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the state title game … Selected co-first-team Associated Press All-State quarterback, co-Paul Hornung Award winner, won the Frank Camp Award, won the Roy Kidd Award, was named Student Sports National Athlete of the Week and was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-Southern team … Also named to Fox Sports Net South's CTSD All-South first-team and was the top vote getter for the 2001 Football All-State team at five different positions as a junior, when he hauled in 64 passes for 1,090 yards and 22 scores … As a senior, Bush completed 190 of 304 passes (62.5 percent) for 2,891 yards and 35 touchdowns, rushed 131 times for 911 yards and seven scores and caught 17 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns … Completed 33 of 47 passes for 468 yards and six touchdowns, rushed 24 times for 116 yards and a score and caught two passes for 24 yards in Male's 59-56 loss in the state finals … Wrapped up his prep career ranked fourth in the state record books in career receiving yards with 180 catches for 3,031 yards (16.8 avg) and 37 touchdowns … Also rushed 256 times for 1,581 yards (6.2 avg) and 25 scores and completed 221 of 385 passes (57.4 percent) for 3,379 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Communications major, with a minor in Sports Administration … Son of Toni and Michael Bush … Born 6/16/84 in Louisville, Kentucky.