WATCH: Devin Bush UA jersey presentation
PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. -- Linebacker Devin Bush was presented with an Under Armour All America jersey on Friday afternoon, in a ceremony at Flanagan High attended by friends, teammates, classmates, members of the school faculty and family.
Bush’s Under Armour All-America Game dreams began seven years ago, which made Friday’s ceremony a dream come true.
“It means everything to me,” said Bush. “As a middle schooler in sixth grade, I watched the game and dreamed of playing in it ever since. To be in this game now and being where I once dreamed to be is a huge privilege, and I’m very honored.”
#ESPN300 WR @D_Snelson2 & LB @_Dbush11 receive Under Armour @AllAmericaGame jersey. pic.twitter.com/xEOnFWU5Zu
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) October 16, 2015
The 5-foot-11, 227-pound instinctive linebacker and son of former Florida State and NFL safety Devin Bush became the first player from Flanagan High to be invited to the prestigious game, along with teammate Dredrick Snelson.
For the No. 179-ranked prospect in the class of 2016, a standard has been set.
“I think I set a huge standard, actually. I’m very proud of my team, myself and my coaches. To be the first from Flanagan means everything to me.”
Big day at Flanagan High... Under Armour @AllAmericaGame ceremony for @D_Snelson2 & @_Dbush11. @CoachBush23 pic.twitter.com/eXUu8vrKVF
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) October 16, 2015
Prior to Friday’s ceremony, Bush dropped some big news on the recruiting front following an unofficial visit to Michigan last weekend.
“I’m going to just say it now. Auburn, Florida State and Michigan are my final three schools.”
Bush broke down the final three:
Auburn: They get guys from Florida and Georgia, including some guys from South Florida that I am familiar with. As you know, they have a great coaching staff, a great defensive coordinator, a great college town to be around and a whole bunch of tradition.
Florida State: I talk with the coaching staff daily. They are still a great team with a great coaching staff and Coach Fisher does a great job getting his guys ready to win. They are a winning program, they will always be a winning program and they aren’t far from home. I know a handful of guys up there from South Florida, so it would be like home for me.
Michigan: It was a great experience last weekend. It was a great visit, it was my third time going up there, and I’m more familiar with everything now with it being so far from home. Watching the coaching staff and watching the players work, everything is going well and in the right direction for them. I feel like over the years, they are going to be a Top three or four team.
While many have expected the talented legacy to head to Tallahassee, both Auburn and Michigan have made Bush’s recruitment a toss-up and a tough upcoming decision.
“I think it’s going to be more about the small things. What they have to offer in the present, and then make the decision that is best for me. I think I may have a tough time doing it, but I will get through it and make a decision.”
Bush Jr. is in the process of setting up official visits to all three schools, and is looking to make a decision before January. He will enroll at one of his three finalists for the spring semester.
Five questions with Devin Bush:
What player are you looking forward to competing with or against in the Under Armour All-America Game?
I don’t have anyone circled. I’m just looking forward to being around the guys, changing the level of competition for a week and all of us trying to make ourselves better.
If you could start a team with any player in your class, who would it be and why?
I would probably start my team with Dredrick Snelson becaue we grew up with each other, played together since we were little, we know what to expect from each other and know what each other is capable of. There is that connection.
What is your earliest football memory?
The first thing that has really stuck in my mind was an interception as a sophomore against Cypress Bay to seal the win. It was our first time to beat Cypress Bay in Flanagan history.
What number do your wear, and why?
I wear 11. The significance of it was there was a senior that I looked up to that wore 11 before me. He left and I took it over. As a coincidence, my father wore 11 at Florida State, so it was two fold for me. It means a lot to me to wear the number my dad wore in college as the guy I looked up to.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
They would be surprised to know how friendly and out going I am once you get to know me. People say that the way I look scares them at first sometimes, so they are scared to approach me. Once you get to know, you will like me.