Transitioning from college to the NFL is an overwhelming prospect, especially when you’re a linebacker coming to a team with such a rich front seven history as the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That was Steelers inside linebacker Devin Bush in 2019.
After an un-Steeler-like move to trade up 10 spots to select Bush 10th overall, the organization had high expectations for the rookie.
Armed with his innate ability to read plays and react quickly, Bush became the first Steelers rookie to lead the team in tackles (109) since the stat began to be tracked in 1994. As a linebacker, Bush finished the season tied for the league lead in fumble recoveries (4) and sixth in interceptions (2).
In 2020, those expectations are elevated, and Bush aims to exceed them.
“Last year I came in, just went in and played and learned as things came to me,” Bush said in a Friday press conference. “But now I have a pretty good idea of what I wanna get done, where I can get better as a player to help this team win.”
Bush added that he would like to be more efficient with his movements. Based on last season, it’s clear he possesses sideline-to-sideline speed; it’s now just a matter of taking more decisive routes to the ball.
“I’m not saying my movements were bad, but just playing in the system I played in in college and switching to another system in the league, things have to change,” said Bush. “I had to get leaner. I had to train differently. I think I’ve done a good job of that.”
Bush’s work this spring laid the groundwork for what has been a strong training camp so far.
According to the Steelers training camp pool report, Bush has been paired up with rookie running back Anthony McFarland multiple times this week. When McFarland ran a post route in a coverage drill, Bush matched him stride-for-stride before he stepped in front of a deep pass intended for McFarland and knocked the ball away.
Bush batted another target away from McFarland, this time in the end zone.
The pairing of Bush and the rookie is optimal, considering they’re both speedsters. Bush ran a 4.44 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Combine and McFarland the same in 2020.
“He’s learned a lot from me, and I’ve learned a lot from him,” Bush said of McFarland. “Iron sharpens iron, so we get each other ready to take those live reps and go into the game action and put it on display.”
Naturally, Bush said he feels more comfortable calling defensive signals than he did as a rookie. “Everything has slowed down for me. I’m a lot more familiar with who I’m playing with and the scheme I’m playing… Watching myself from last season and critiquing myself during the offseason, I definitely picked up the playbook easier. I am more comfortable with who I am playing with and the scheme. I have a good foundation I laid down last year I am building off of. It is going to be easier for me this year.”
Opposition beware: A “more comfortable” Devin Bush is going to make for a more nasty Devin Bush in 2020.
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