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It doesn’t matter if you’re a veteran, a rookie or somewhere in between, you can be a standout in fall camp if you take some initiative once you see the practice field.
In Pittsburgh then, while our sister site SteelersWire notes common names like Ben Roethlisberger are making an impact in training camp, it’s no surprise that second-year middle linebacker Devin Bush Jr. — the former Wolverines standout — is also making a strong impression.
The second-year inside linebacker has made a multitude of standout plays since pads came on. On a deep pass, Bush kept pace with McFarland down the field, stayed in position, and batted the ball away in the end zone for an incomplete pass. On another rep, Bush made a pass breakup against McFarland deep down the field. The two speedsters have been paired up multiple times in practice this week.
This week, Bush told the media that he worked on his movements to be more efficient at the point of attack. In an 11-on-11 drill, Bush perfectly read a screen play and defeated the blocker to immediately tackle the ball carrier as the pass was caught.
After praising Bush for the shape he came to camp in, Tomlin gave his linebacker a challenge: “I’m looking for that step to be revealed in the quality and the amount of his communication, and he still has room for improvement in that regard.”
Bush had a solid rookie season in the NFL, but still has some work to do to become the bona fide household name he was in Ann Arbor.
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The Steelers traded up to get him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and while he had solid production — leading the team in tackles while adding two interceptions — he surprisingly only had one sack in his first season.
However, like he did at Michigan, Bush has showcased his sideline-to-sideline speed nearly every down he’s on the field.
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