Deon Bush

Bush finished his junior season with 53 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, five passes defended and two interceptions, starting in 11 games. He entered 2015 as one of the top safety prospects in the country, but battled injuries and inconsistency en route to finishing fifth on the team with 50 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss and one sack along with one interception and six pass break-ups.

bush was considered one of the better seniors at his position over the summer, but his 2015 season was disappointing as he battled injuries and inconsistency. whether it be in run support, protecting the middle against the pass or as a gunner on special teams, bush is a heat-seeking missile with a knack for delivering monster hits.

He is a good size/speed athlete, who loves to fly around and hit, both on special teams coverages and from different levels of the defense. But his instincts and awareness aren't ready for the NFL, finding himself out of position and playing out of control. Bush desperately needs positive pre-draft workouts to repair his damaged draft stock.

bush has a lean body type, but he's not skinny and plays tougher than he looks, throwing his body around and delivering jarring hits to separate his target from the ball on defense and special teams (nine forced fumbles over his career). he light feet and fluid hips to change directions quickly and accelerates in a flash.

Bush has the instincts and range for the deep middle, reading the eyes of quarterbacks and erasing deep-ball opportunities. He locates the football well and times his leap to win contested passes.

weaknesses

Bush needs to improve his route recognition in coverage and his break down skills while in motion vs. the run. He takes highly aggressive angles to the ball, leaving himself vulnerable to cutbacks. Too often is willing to leave his feet in pursuit of big collisions, occasionally whiffing entirely. A bit choppy in his backpedal and too often latches hold of receivers when asked to cover in man to man.

like the 6-2, 205-pound goldson, bush has the combination of closing speed, physicality and ball-skills every scouts is looking for. their highly aggressive play, however, can also lead to critical mistakes.

IN OUR VIEW

strengths

A tall, rangy defensive back, Bush is a terrific athlete with the required length, physicality and ball-skills for the safety position at the NFL level. He is used all over the Hurricanes' defense, giving scouts an opportunity to evaluate him as a blitzer, in run support, single high in coverage even dropping down to cover slot receivers.

compares to

Dashon Goldson, Washington Redskins

Four-star recruit according to Rivals.com

Has been compared to former Miami great Antrel Rolle

No. 5 safety prospect, No. 68 overall prospect and No. 12 prospect instate of Florida by Rivals.com

Ranked 65th on ESPN 150 as fourth-best safety prospect and 14th-best prospect from Florida

As senior made 40 stops and had seven interceptions

Asjunior at Columbus in Miami, Fla., returned one punt for touchdown and compiled 50 tackles and three interceptions

During sophomore campaign, collected 47 tackles and two interceptions

Played for coach Chris Merritt at Columbus

Chose UM over Florida, Florida State, Alabama and Auburn.