Reggie Bush

Reginald Alfred Bush Jr. (born March 2, 1985) is an American former football running back who was an on-air college football analyst for Fox Sports.

He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning consensus All-American honors twice and winning the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding player in the nation.

Bush is widely regarded as one of the greatest college football players of all-time.

Bush was born in 1985 in Spring Valley in San Diego County, California, and named after his biological father, Reginald, Sr.

He was a running back at Helix High School in La Mesa, California.

Bush was also a track star at Helix, placing second (10.72) -1.7m in the 2002 CIF California State Meet 100 meters final and posting bests of 10.42 seconds in the 100 meters (both the fastest prep time in the state and among the nation's senior football players) and 21.06 seconds in the 200 meters (third fastest prep in California in 2002).

He played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Bush was listed as the No. 1 running back in the nation in 2003.

He placed second in the boys' 50 meters, clocking at 5.85 at the 2003 Los Angeles Invitational Indoor Meet.

Bush received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Southern California, where he played for the Trojans from 2003 to 2005 under head coach Pete Carroll.

When Carroll recruited Bush he envisioned using him as a five-way threat.

The freshman quickly proved effective in carrying, catching, throwing, and returning the ball.

Bush was a consensus first-team Freshman All-American selection in 2003, and became the first Trojan since Anthony Davis in 1974 to lead the Pacific-10 Conference in kickoff returns.

His 1,331 all-purpose yards set a USC freshman record.

The ESPN Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year also amassed 521 yards rushing that year, with three touchdowns on 91 carries.

However, allegations that he received improper benefits were central to an NCAA investigation of the USC football program that led to severe NCAA sanctions against USC, including a two-year postseason ban and the vacating of the 2004 national championship.

As a result, Bush voluntarily forfeited his Heisman Trophy.

While at Helix, he played with 2004 Heisman Trophy finalist and first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft Alex Smith.

During his prep career with the Helix Highlanders, he won the prestigious Silver Pigskin trophy awarded by KUSI's Prep Pigskin Report.

Smith and Bush were later finalists for the 2004 Heisman, making it the first time a high school had two finalists at the same ceremony.

University of Utah quarterback Alex Smith and Bush were both finalists for the 2004 Heisman Trophy, making it the first time a high school had two finalists at the same ceremony.

In 2004, Bush finished fifth in the Heisman voting and was named the team's MVP.

He earned consensus All-American honors and was a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

He finished second on the team with 143 carries for 908 yards (6.3 avg) and six touchdowns, adding 509 yards and seven scores on 43 receptions (11.8 avg).

Bush returned 21 kickoffs for 537 yards (25.6 avg) and 24 punts for 376 yards (15.7 avg) and a pair of touchdowns.

He became the first Trojan since Marcus Allen to lead the Pac-10 in all-purpose yardage, totaling 2,330 yards.

He also threw for one touchdown, tossing a 52-yard scoring strike.

In addition to winning the 2005 Heisman Trophy, Bush also won the 2005 Doak Walker and Walter Camp awards.

In 2005, Bush was a unanimous first-team All-American and winner of the Heisman Trophy.

He was also named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. Offensive Player of the Year, and the Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio) Player of the Year.

In addition to the Walter Camp Award, Bush also won the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the nation's best running back.

He led the nation with an average of 222.3 all-purpose yards per game and finished fourth in the NCAA Division I-A ranks with an average of 133.85 rushing yards per game.

He set the Pac-10 record for all-purpose yards in a game, with 513 (294 rushing, 68 receiving, 151 return) against the Fresno State Bulldogs on November 19, 2005.

Bush also became known for the "Bush Push," which occurred on a game-winning score against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Bush led the Trojans with 1,740 yards on 200 carries (8.7 avg) with 16 touchdowns and ranked third on the squad with 39 receptions for 481 yards (12.9 avg), including a pair of scores as a junior.

He returned 18 punts for 179 yards (9.9 avg) and a touchdown, and gained 493 yards on 28 kickoff returns (17.6 avg).

He was selected by the New Orleans Saints second overall in the 2006 NFL Draft.

While with the Saints, Bush was named an All-Pro punt returner in 2008 and won Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 over the Indianapolis Colts.

Bush is still 3rd all-time on the 100m dash list for San Diego.

He also played for the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers before retiring from professional football in 2017.