NFL Draft: The history of running backs taken No. 2 overall
player. Pick Analysis. Running Back. USC. Reggie Bush. 3. 15. Scouting Report
The second overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft was Reggie Bush, and him not going first overall was a surprise to many. He was a two-time national champion and the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner from USC.
A Trojan legend, Bush was a two-time consensus All-American in 2004 and 2005, the AP player of the year in 2005. I can’t recall a more dominant and prolific scorer than Bush who seemed to single-handedly take over football games while at USC. The Trojans were almost three-peat champions but Vince Young’s Texas Longhorns put a stop to that in the 2006 Rose Bowl.
Bush benefitted throughout his time in Los Angeles by sharing carries with LenDale White which kept milage off of his body but he still ran for 3,169 yards and scored 42 total touchdowns (including kickoff and punt returns) in only three seasons.
The Texans passed on Bush and drafted Mario Williams first overall. The newer, smarter Saints drafted Bush to replace departed running back Ricky Williams.
The 5-11, 205-pound back posted a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and a 40.5-inch vertical as well.
In the NFL, Bush played 11 seasons for the Saints, Dolphins, Lions, 49ers and Bills. He finished his NFL career a first team All Pro in 2008 and a Super Bowl Champion with the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. He was hardly used in a feature back role but instead played that hybrid slot receiver and running back role that he truly fit into best.
Bush ran for over 1,000 yards only twice in his career, but did total 5,490 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns on the ground. Through the air, he hauled in 3,598 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns and continued to return punts in the NFL, running back four for touchdowns.
Reggie may never wind up in the Hall of Fame but he put together a solid NFL career.