Reggie Bush ranked No. 2 college football player of the 21st century by The Athletic
Recently, The Athletic published rankings of college football's greatest teams, players, coaches, programs, and games of the 21st century (so far). USC was well-represented in the greatest teams rankings, with the 2004 Trojans coming in at No. 5. On the top players list, USC was once again featured prominently, with star running back Reggie Bush coming in at No. 2 on the list.
Bush's accolades at USC certainly made him more than worthy of inclusion. He won two national championships, a Heisman Trophy, a Doak Walker Award, was twice named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, and was a two-time first-team All-American.
Here is what The Athletic's Bruce Feldman had to say about Bush:
"Arguably the most electrifying player in college football history, Bush helped the Trojans win national titles in his first two seasons and then won the Heisman in his third. In 2005, he averaged 223 all-purpose yards per game, including a memorable Saturday night when he went for 513 against Fresno State. His knack for game-changing plays was uncanny. 'He single-handedly won us some games,' said [Ed] Orgeron, a former USC assistant.
"When I asked experts for their take on the best player of the 2000s, Bush's name came up by far the most. 'The only perfect grade I ever gave to a college player was Reggie,' Daniel Jeremiah said. 'He was a jaw-dropping college player. He was so much better than everybody else on the field, it wasn't even close. You went out of your way to watch him. He was literally must-see TV.'"
Interestingly, Bush was the only USC player in the rankings, with none of USC's three Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks making the cut. Matt Leinart, Bush's USC teammate and one of two quarterbacks this century to win a Heisman and multiple national championships, was a particularly glaring admission.
In addition, a strong case could have been made for two USC star safeties from the 2000s, Troy Polamalu and Taylor Mays, who racked up a combined five first-team All-America honors. So, while Bush certainly deserves his flowers, many USC fans will feel as though the Trojans did not get the recognition they deserved in the rankings.
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