The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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NOVEMBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 71 BY RYAN TICE P ittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush Jr. was named the AFC De- fensive Player of the Week after total- ing seven tackles, a second interception in as many weeks and a fumble recov- ery that he returned for a touchdown in a week six win over the Chargers. That might not be the only hardware Bush earns in his rookie season. The No. 10 overall pick in April's NFL Draft has established himself as one of the best rookies in the league and a standout linebacker, despite a rocky enough beginning that he did not even start week two. It's hard to imagine Bush not in the Steelers' starting lineup now. His 52 tackles are tied for 25th in the league, but before the team was off in week seven he was ranked 10th in the NFL in stops. No other rookie had more than 48 tackles at the end of seven weeks. He's also proven to be a playmaker. In addition to his two picks, he has recovered a league-best four fumbles; his six takeaways make up nearly half of the Steelers' 15 on the year, which is tied for second in the league. In an Oct. 17 countdown prior to week seven, NFL.com's Chris Wessel- ing tabbed Bush the league's third-best rookie defender, behind pass rushers Nick Bosa (Ohio State/San Francisco 49ers) and Brian Burns (Florida State/ Carolina Panthers). In CBSSports. com's Rookie Power Rankings prior to week seven, Bush was listed second. "Hyped as a Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite after a standout training camp, Bush struggled out of the gates, especially in pass coverage," Wesseling wrote. "Over the past month, though, he's been as advertised, showing an uncanny nose for the football. … He leads all rookies in tackles (52) as well as Pro Football Focus' defensive stops metric (19) for a swarming Steelers de- fense that seems to increase in intensity with each passing week." NFL Network's Nate Burleson has said that Bush reminds him of Bobby Wagner, the Seattle Seahawks' line- backer who has made the last five Pro Bowls and been named a first-team All-Pro in four of those five campaigns. "He's a little undersized, but he's fast, he's strong, he's compact," Burle- son said. "… [He's] one of these versa- tile young linebackers that has come in as a rookie and established himself as a leader. … He's one of the best — not just in his class, but he could be one of the best linebackers of his era." After six games played, Bush is on pace for 139 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five in- terceptions and 11 fumble recoveries during the regular season. The NFL record for recovered fum- bles by opponents in a season is nine, and according to pro-football-refer- ence.com 139 tackles would tie for the 13th most ever by an NFL rookie. FORMER WOLVERINES ON NFL ROSTERS Through Oct. 21 • Tom Brady (Played at U-M from 1996-99), QB, New England Patriots: Has the 7-0 Patriots as one of the last two unbeaten teams in the league … After seven weeks, he had completed 180 of 273 passes (65.9 percent) for 1,992 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions … Has a passer rating of 94.8 and has also run for three scores … Ranked seventh in the league in passing yards, is tied for 12th in touchdown throws and leads the way with 32 completions of 20 yards or more. • Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pitts- burgh Steelers: Has started five times and played in all six contests for the 2-4 Steel- ers … Racked up 52 tackles (32 solo), one sack, three passes broken up, two inter- ceptions and four fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. • Jake Butt (2013-16), TE, Denver Broncos: On injured reserve for the 2-5 Broncos. • Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Miami Dolphins: Was inactive for the Cowboys' first two games, before the team released him … Miami picked him up in time to play against Dallas, he notched a sack in each of his first two appearances and has 3.0 on the year among 16 tackles in four games played and three starts. • Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs: Has started all seven games for the 5-2 Chiefs and notched 17 tackles with 3.0 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. • Mason Cole (2014-17), C, Arizona Cardinals: Has appeared off the bench in each of the 3-3-1 Cardinals' games so far. • Devin Funchess (2012-14), WR, In- dianapolis Colts: Broke his collarbone in week one for the 4-2 Colts, after hauling in three passes for 32 yards. • Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers: Has been a reserve in seven contests for the 6-1 Packers and notched 10 tackles with one sack and a fumble recovery. • Ben Gedeon (2014-16), LB, Minne- sota Vikings: Has missed time with inju- ries, but made eight stops in four appear- ances and two starts for 5-2 Minnesota. • Zach Gentry (2016-18), TE, Pitts- burgh Steelers: Has played in three games for the 2-4 Steelers and been inac- tive for the others. • Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OG, De- troit Lions: Has started the first six games at right guard for the 2-3-1 Lions … After the first six weeks, he was ranked as the No. 3 guard in the NFL by Pro Football Focus (PFF). • Ryan Glasgow (2013-16), DT, Cin- cinnati Bengals: Limited by injuries but has seen action in four contests with two MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Devin Bush Jr. Looking Like An NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year Contender Bush was tied for the league lead with four fumble recoveries and tied for 25th over- all (first among rookies) with 52 tackles through seven weeks. PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH STEELERS / KARL ROSER