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Actual Scouting Report in the Draft Insiders' Yearbook for the NFL Draft '06

1. * Reggie Bush #5 - 5’11� 200 lbs. - USC - Sp. 4.4 Rating 95
Electrifying junior scatback had another outstanding performance that almost defies description. Reggie is the rarest of the rare running backs and probably the biggest college running back phenom since Herschel Walker. He was the key reason the Trojans won two national championships and almost captured a third title this season. He has exceptional quickness to the hole with excellent change of direction skills to create running lanes and the rare burst of speed to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He explodes thru the hole, allowing him to get to the 2nd level consistently and break the big play. Within a short area, his suddenness has been rarely matched on the football field, making him dangerous in any situation to hit the home run. As a receiver, he creates enormous problems for a defense and refined that aspect of play significantly each season with better route running and fine defense recognition. His great cutting skills allow him to cutback fast going through the hole without losing speed and exploding through any opening into the secondary. He ranks with any back in memory and resembles former NFL great Gale “Black Magic� Sayers in his supernatural openfield running skills and his developed all round game. He is the #1 blue chip prospect for this very talented and deep NFL Draft ’06. As a prospect, he may be the best pro player in any year with the exception of NFL greats, Jimmy Brown and Johnny Unitas. His tremendous big play ability as a runner, receiver or return specialist makes him one of the special prospects this spring. He was the lightning in USC’s potent offense that exploded weekly over the past three seasons, setting new NCAA records along the way. He formed an awesome running back tandem with LenDale White to give the Trojans a thunder and lightning duo that destroyed Pac 10 defenses the past three seasons. He is a compact athletic runner with the combination of speed, quickness, hands, toughness and instincts to become a top NFL feature back very early on. He shared starting duties with White over his career, pressuring defenses with two talented yet distinctly different running styles. He is a fast fluid runner with very quick feet, allowing him to accelerate through the hole and hit the opening at top speed. He displays outstanding natural running skills, such as vision, balance, & change-of-direction to consistently get to the second level. He can shift gears, hitting top speed quickly and uses his blockers well to set up defenders, finishing runs with explosive power. He has the power to run between the tackles and the quickness to bounce outside and make a big play in the open field. Though, he is not a workhorse pounder to run 20-25 times a game between the tackles, he can get that many touches per game and holdup over the season. He is mainly a slashing type runner, who sets up defenders and reads blocks quickly. With the presence of White, he carried a good load on a weekly basis and though his durability is a concern, he has all the components to become a top-flight starting feature back. Whether he can carry 300+ times annually remains to be seen. He needs a spread offense like the Rams used during the late ‘90s with Marshall Faulk, the game’s premier back in that attack. Reggie would flourish in that offense where he would rarely see eight in a box with three WR sets the norm. Despite average size, he has shown the ability to get stronger over the game and he has deceptive power to wear down a defense. He earns much of his yardage after contact, displaying fine strength and balance to get the most of each attempt. He is an excellent receiver who displays very good hands and a good sense in route running and natural talent from early in his career. He moves gracefully into his patterns and has a good feel for coverage and consistently catches the ball, using his terrific running skills after the catch. His presence in the backfield occupies the FS in coverage, keeping most other receivers in single matchups. He needs work as a blocker and must show he is capable of picking up a blitzing backer and protecting his QB. He graded out above average in that role.
The Numbers: In ’05, he started 13 games with 200 carries for 1740 yards, 16 TDs and a long of 76 yards, while averaging 133.8 yards per game. He averaged an incredible 8.7 yards per carry and added 37 receptions for 478 yards, a 12.9 yard average and 2 TDs. He had 2,890 all-purpose yards this season leading the nation in all-purpose yards with 222.3 per game. Bush rushed for 3,169 yards and White 3,159, helping the Trojans go 37-2 over past three seasons. They had won 34 straight before losing to Texas. During the '04 season, he rushed for 908 yards on 143 carries, a fine 6.1 yard average and 6 TDs. He also added 43 receptions for 508 yards and 7 TDs. As a freshman, he rushed for 521 yards on 90 carries and 3 TDs with 15 receptions for 314 yards and 4 TDs.
The Skinny: Gifted playmaker with the ability to be a game-to-game NFL feature back and a difference maker immediately. He has produced in big game situations often and wants the ball in critical situations. With a short college career and limited carries, his best football is ahead of him. He needs the right offense and with Houston holding the #1 pick he is an excellent fit for that offense under new HC Gary Kubiak. The Denver offense features different 1000 yard rushers almost annually and Kubiak has been the mastermind in that success, which puts Bush in an ideal situation for a young back. Fast back with well rounded skills to become a top flight NFL runner with power to run inside and great speed and running skills to get outside and make the corner consistently, which puts him in rare company among running backs. He is similar to Gale Sayers and Marshall Faulk, though more developed as a receiver. At the combine, he did not workout. Top overall 1st round pick with rare running skills to become an immediate impact performer and the ability to be a difference maker in an offense by creating opportunities for other skill position players. The Texans would have to be overwhelmed to trade off this spot. Best natural runner in a few decades. Young athlete just turned 21 and has his best football ahead him. Huge upside to take his club up a few levels. Annual Pro Bowl performer with fine intangibles. Texans probably started negotiations with him shortly and possible get a long term contract done prior to the NFL Draft ’06.
Draft Projection: 1st Round – Top overall Pick

1. * Mario Williams #9 - 6’7� 295 lbs. - North Carolina St. - Sp. 4.75 Rating 94
Gifted athletic junior defensive end has the rare physical package to become a top flight NFL defender with further development. Mario has great size and athleticism that are the key components to become a dominant pro defensive end. He has continued to develop over his short career with another top performance over his junior season, earning first team ACC honors for the third consecutive time. He has been a dominant pass rusher over his entire career, combining imposing size and athleticism to beat blockers with both speed and power. He can be a strong outside pass rusher and gets great use of his long arms and quick hands to separate from blockers. He has lined up mainly on the strongside where his speed and quickness have allowed him to become one of the premier upfield speed rushers in football. He has developed better pass rusher moves with experience especially a spin move to the inside. His development of additional moves helped him battle the double teams he faced often over his later career. He is a two-way defender who shows the ability to defend the run well, though he needs further lower body strength to handle plays at the point of attack. During the ’05 season, he started in 12 games and registered 62 total tackles with 24 TFL for 96 yards, 14.5 sacks for 80 yards, 2 PBU, 15 hurries, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 safety and 1 blocked kick. He totaled 4 sacks vs. Maryland in a dominant performance. He is the ideal physical package with exceptionally long arms and a tremendous wingspan. He has added solid bulk to his frame over his career, including increased strength that translates well to the playing field. He has fine natural athleticism and shows very good natural ability to rush the QB. At times, he will make plays that only the rare athletic defenders can make. He has fine movement skills and very good speed, especially for his size, and will make tackles down the line and at the opposite sideline. As a sophomore, he made 57 tackles with 15 TFL for 82 yards with 6 sacks for 49 yards, 19 QB hurries and 2 PBU that earned him first team ACC honors for the first time or two consecutive honors. He registered 3 sacks vs. Florida St. that season which guaranteed special attention weekly. He has been accused of not giving 100% at times, though that is exaggerated at times. Sometimes he will battle with the tackle at the line, rather than just take an edge, get low, and go. At just turning 21 years of age this winter, he is still learning all the nuances of hand usage and better technique to separate quicker from blockers. He has made great strides over his short career with more experience. He is similar to Julius Poppers and Chris Canty in size and body type but superior in ways. He has the rare athleticism to draw comparisons with Peppers one of the highest rated blue chip defensive ends in recent history. He explodes out of his stance, can flatten down the line, work his way through the trash and make plays in pursuit. He can be highly competitive player that has good hand usage to separate from blockers and deflect passes at the line of scrimmage. He is a player with very good instincts and awareness and has learned to diagnose plays and blocking schemes sooner with experience. He shows some stiffness at times, but anchors well at the point vs. the run, though would be well served to improve his overall body strength. He is quick up the field and can pressure the QB with the ability to flatten out and get his shoulder past the tackle consistently. As a pass rusher, he has quickness upfield speed, shows hand use with hip-flip, pop & jerk or rip moves and can bend the corner nicely. Once he disengages from blockers, he has the burst to accelerate to the QB and flattens out well to take good angles to the ball. In run support, he is adequate at the point of attack and can hold his ground, though he can come off the ball high and give ground at times. He reads the play quickly and effectively slips blocks to make many plays from the backside. He has good read and reactions against both run and pass, though at times he will be on such a hard upfield move that teams will run inside of him. He has very good lateral quickness and works well down the line of scrimmage and rarely gets caught up in traffic. He is a strong sure tackler who can run down backs consistently. He has a huge frame and already carries in the 285 lb. range easily with the ability to be an every down defender almost immediately. As a junior, he developed better hand technique and power, in addition to his relentless attitude to rush the passer to elevate his game significantly despite getting special attention weekly. He wants to make the big play, relying on keen instincts and awareness to recognize schemes quickly. He relies more on both quickness and power to win on the snap and attempts to get the tackle off balance with quick hand use. He has a good swim move to avoid blocks with the burst to the ball to finish plays. In run support, he is tough and shows the ability to hold the point of attack, though he needs further strength development to anchor better. As a tackler, he finishes with some pop inline and breaks down and wraps up well in space. He has a good burst to close short with above average long pursuit speed. He can also push the pocket with with quickness or use a hump move a la Michael Strahan. He is tenacious in his pursuit of the QB and stays after it with the ability to win late in the down. He is a blue chip defender who possesses the fine combination of size, speed quickness and power to start as a rookie. At the combine, he ran a 4.73 time with a 40.5� VJ, 10’ BJ and did 35 reps in the lifting in a terrific workout. Excellent prospect with further upside as only a 21 year old pro. He needs work on technique, but only needs to want to be great to become the best in the game. Several clubs will be interested in him as a strong side end like the Packers, Raiders and 49ers. Rare athlete with a chance to become a dominant NFL defender. Top 5 prospect with Pro Bowl talent.
Draft Projection: 1st Round - Top 5 pick