TJ Bush Pass Rush DE via Transfer Portal

[WinMinGophers!]

TJ Bush Jr. - Football - University of Minnesota Athletics

TJ Bush Jr. (3) DL - PRONUNCIATION Your browser does not support HTML5 audio. HONORS: CUSA Second Team All-Conference (2024) FWAA Freshman All-American (2023...

gophersports.com

I'm surprised DE TJ Bush isn't getting more talk here for a couple reasons:

1. Uncertainty. He transferred from Liberty as a DE to Cal as a stand up pass rush linebacker in a 3-4 with change-ups defense. Now he's at Minnesota as a DE edge rusher.

His track speed is good but not great.


2. Potential for immediate impact. While not track fast, he is sudden. Immediate burst.

He has 87 acceleration. That means he reaches his top speed immediately.

At Cal: 39 QB pressures, 5.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, 40 tackles.

Better at DE than linebacker.


I don't have a PFF subscription but this is some of his grading this past season:

70.0–75.0 range -- reliable "Starter".

Has 80.0+ grade at times, particularly in pass-rushing efficiency. Consistently higher marks for Pass Rushing (75.0–82.0) than Run Defense.

Run Defense grades tend to be lower (typically 60.0–68.0), smaller size can make it harder for him to anchor against heavy double-teams.


Best guess: Will improve at DE instead of his pass rush LB role at Cal. Above average pass rush DE but uncertainty.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Plenty of excitement about getting him in the various transfer portal threads but now we are in that wait and see mode on the transfers until we actually get to see them in action.

He has a definite chance to be one of our more impactful pickups from the portal this season.

 

[minnyrules11]

Smith, Menz, Howard. Whose spot does he take? Linebacker have Baranowski and Karmo. Caledonia Stendel will step up as they did not red shirt him while playing a lot on special teams. Depth is important to have but curious where you think Bush cracks the starting lineup.

 

[GopherGrit]

Smith, Menz, Howard. Whose spot does he take? Linebacker have Baranowski and Karmo. Caledonia Stendel will step up as they did not red shirt him while playing a lot on special teams. Depth is important to have but curious where you think Bush cracks the starting lineup.

Not that Ryan Burns is the end all be all, by any means, but on GGR podcast he thinks Bush will be a significant contributor who is opposite Smith, with Menz getting reps too.

He takes sqaure aim at Howard and says if he wants to get on the field this year he needs to step it up.

FWIW to you

 

[WinMinGophers!]

There are lots of DE players... I'll break it down this way to try and make sense... sticking to just pass rushing on this one.

Pass rushing:
DE Anthony Smith: All Big Ten First Team. 6' 6", 285, prototype size. Plays on base downs. Does everything well, including pass rushing. Strong side usually.



DE/pass rusher TJ Bush. 6' 3", 265. Weak side starter. More pass rush but big enough to hold his own against the run. Could put his hand down or stand up for pass rushing.

DE Anthony Smith moves in to defensive tackle for an INSANE pass rush package.

And then it's unclear.

DE Karter Menz pass rusher DE. 6' 5", 240. 6.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss last season.

DE Jaxon Howard pass rusher DE, 6' 4", 250. 4 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss.

Gophers rotate players to keep them fresh. It's hard to say when or how. They rotate.

NASCAR HAVOC!

 

[Unregistered User]

NASCAR HAVOC!

So, the DEs only know how to turn left?

 

[WinMinGophers!]

I think Menz is more likely to rotate on base downs. Howard at this point is more a pass specialist.

It's hard to know. It's college ball. Guys get better and win jobs.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I think Menz is more likely to rotate on base downs. Howard at this point is more a pass specialist.

It's hard to know. It's college ball. Guys get better and win jobs.

It's amazing how dude who seems to have IT / can do all the things just seems like he is one step away from exploding on the scene.... never does for 5 years.

Some rando low star scrub from butt nowhere who looked like he would at best be a gunner his whole career somehow takes off and is just in on every play ...

 

[WinMinGophers!]

So, the DEs only know how to turn left?

LOL. Drum roll.

I meant the BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY!

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

TJ Bush Jr. - Football - University of Minnesota Athletics

TJ Bush Jr. (3) DL - PRONUNCIATION Your browser does not support HTML5 audio. HONORS: CUSA Second Team All-Conference (2024) FWAA Freshman All-American (2023...

gophersports.com

View attachment 42889



I'm surprised DE TJ Bush isn't getting more talk here for a couple reasons:

1. Uncertainty. He transferred from Liberty as a DE to Cal as a stand up pass rush linebacker in a 3-4 with change-ups defense. Now he's at Minnesota as a DE edge rusher.

His track speed is good but not great.


2. Potential for immediate impact. While not track fast, he is sudden. Immediate burst.

He has 87 acceleration. That means he reaches his top speed immediately.

At Cal: 39 QB pressures, 5.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, 40 tackles.

Better at DE than linebacker.


I don't have a PFF subscription but this is some of his grading this past season:

70.0–75.0 range -- reliable "Starter".

Has 80.0+ grade at times, particularly in pass-rushing efficiency. Consistently higher marks for Pass Rushing (75.0–82.0) than Run Defense.

Run Defense grades tend to be lower (typically 60.0–68.0), smaller size can make it harder for him to anchor against heavy double-teams.


Best guess: Will improve at DE instead of his pass rush LB role at Cal. Above average pass rush DE but uncertainty.

But he was only a three ️️️ in HS, so

 

[The Deliberate Stranger]

Don't sleep on Carrier either he was a stand out on special teams last year, I am thinking he will be in the mix at linebacker as well

Smith, Menz, Howard. Whose spot does he take? Linebacker have Baranowski and Karmo. Caledonia Stendel will step up as they did not red shirt him while playing a lot on special teams. Depth is important to have but curious where you think Bush cracks the starting lineup.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

I think Menz is more likely to rotate on base downs. Howard at this point is more a pass specialist.

It's hard to know. It's college ball. Guys get better and win jobs.

Absolutely correct

It's amazing how dude who seems to have IT / can do all the things just seems like he is one step away from exploding on the scene.... never does for 5 years.

Some rando low star scrub from butt nowhere who looked like he would at best be a gunner his whole career somehow takes off and is just in on every play ...

We’ve been blessed with lots of guys who took their chance and ran with it, ate with it, grew into it and flourished.

Three stars or less who have thrilled me and became much better players than I ever imagined-

Winfield
Gibbons
Murray
Mo
Cashman

And there are many more, but man, as a fan, those are the guys who end up being my favorites - they never cheated themselves or the program.

 

[highwayman]

DE Anthony Smith moves into defensive tackle for an INSANE pass rush package.

Nope. A coach would not waste him that way.

 

[WinMinGophers!]

Nope. A coach would not waste him that way.

Then maybe they play one of the other pass rushers inside on 3rd and long. They have four at least pass rusher DEs.

Since Bush played hybrid pass rusher linebacker they could go some other variation that has Bush standing up, maybe another guy standing too -- as many other pass rushers on the field as they can concoct.

 

[WinMinGophers!]

Oddly, I am now wondering what defensive coordinator Danny Collins is up to.

He's stacked at sackers but the secondary got roasted last season when they didn't get home. Can the DBs now without Perich handle this way of playing.

Maybe TJ Bush plus more mature other pass rushers helps to improve that.

Gophers land likely starter at cornerback from Michigan State in portal

Aydan West figures to step into Za'Quan Bryan's starting spot for Minnesota at corner.

www.si.com

 

[GreasyGopher]

I think Menz is more likely to rotate on base downs. Howard at this point is more a pass specialist.

It's hard to know. It's college ball. Guys get better and win jobs.

Howard is far better against the run than the pass.

 

[RememberMurray]

Oddly, I am now wondering what defensive coordinator Danny Collins is up to.

He's stacked at sackers but the secondary got roasted last season when they didn't get home. Can the DBs now without Perich handle this way of playing.

Maybe TJ Bush plus more mature other pass rushers helps to improve that.

Gophers land likely starter at cornerback from Michigan State in portal

Aydan West figures to step into Za'Quan Bryan's starting spot for Minnesota at corner.

www.si.com

The B1G is the best conference in college football, and the Gopher defense finished second in the league in sacks, behind only national champs Indiana.

I'm trying to remember all the times the secondary got 'roasted'. They don't appear to keep stats on that.

https://bigten.org/fb/stats/?category=team§ion=defense&teamValue=all

 

[RememberMurray]

Nope. A coach would not waste him that way.

Could you explain how using him inside on passing downs would be wasting him?

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Could you explain how using him inside on passing downs would be wasting him?

Yeah, I think it happens when you have bigger defensive ends. I'm sure there are lots more recent examples, but Everson Griffen sliding inside for the vikes comes to mind.

I believe I've seen it a lot, just can't get the names in my head.

 

[pharmacygopher]

Yeah, I think it happens when you have bigger defensive ends. I'm sure there are lots more recent examples, but Everson Griffen sliding inside for the vikes comes to mind.

I believe I've seen it a lot, just can't get the names in my head.

Pretty sure we did it or it was a team we played. I remember references to a NASCAR package

 

[Eastside Forever]

Smith, Menz, Howard. Whose spot does he take? Linebacker have Baranowski and Karmo. Caledonia Stendel will step up as they did not red shirt him while playing a lot on special teams. Depth is important to have but curious where you think Bush cracks the starting lineup.

They will all play. Starting is so overrated.

 

[minnyrules11]

No kidding starting is overrrated. Perhaps should have said who is in the rotation. I understand they rotate a lot. The point is there is only so much playing time for defensive ends/rush ends/outside backers to go around unless if every game is a blowout. The Anthony Smith to defensive tackle on passing downs that was thrown around here is ridiculous.

Hard to get excited about someone until you know where they fit in. I see Menz and and Smith on the outside. One suggested that Burns thought Howard needed to step up. Maybe someone gets put to the middle on passing downs other than Smith. Also like some of the outside backers coming back.

They will all play. Starting is so overrated.

 

[Scottsdale Gopher]

In addition to depth, I wonder if the positional flexibility of the ends and LBs will allow them to play more of a 4-2-5 / 3-3-5 hybrid.

 

[GreasyGopher]

Oddly, I am now wondering what defensive coordinator Danny Collins is up to.

He's stacked at sackers but the secondary got roasted last season when they didn't get home. Can the DBs now without Perich handle this way of playing.

Maybe TJ Bush plus more mature other pass rushers helps to improve that.

Gophers land likely starter at cornerback from Michigan State in portal

Aydan West figures to step into Za'Quan Bryan's starting spot for Minnesota at corner.

www.si.com

The secondary may be less dynamic without Koi but there should be a greater emphasis on discipline and tackling which hopefully ends up as a net positive for the group.

 

[RememberMurray]

Yeah, I think it happens when you have bigger defensive ends. I'm sure there are lots more recent examples, but Everson Griffen sliding inside for the vikes comes to mind.

I believe I've seen it a lot, just can't get the names in my head.

Yes, you're right, we've seen it before.

Highwayman asserted that no coach would 'waste' Smith by moving him inside on passing downs.
My question was: how would moving Smith inside on passing downs be wasting him? I'd be interested in hearing the reasoning behind the assertion.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

The Anthony Smith to defensive tackle on passing downs that was thrown around here is ridiculous.

Not at all ridiculous. DE's move inside all the time on obvious passing downs like 3rd and long.

Maybe someone gets put to the middle on passing downs other than Smith.

So someone smaller than him? Usually you'd move the bigger DE inside and have the lighter DE stay outside.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Yes, you're right, we've seen it before.

Highwayman asserted that no coach would 'waste' Smith by moving him inside on passing downs.
My question was: how would moving Smith inside on passing downs be wasting him? I'd be interested in hearing the reasoning behind the assertion.

What I think the answer is, and they (highwayman, minnyrules) won't admit to, is that they were unaware that DE's can actually rush the passer from the interior when moved there on 3rd and long. I think those two posters thought we'd be turning him into a DT in that situation, but it just isn't true. He'd be lining up where the DT normally would be, but he'd be asked to strictly rush the passer and not worry about normal DT responsibilities.

 

[minnyrules11]

Not at all ridiculous. DE's move inside all the time on obvious passing downs like 3rd and long.


So someone smaller than him? Usually you'd move the bigger DE inside and have the lighter DE stay outsidIe

I am well aware DE's move in some cases. It would have happened last year and it didn't. Have an All American type talent at DE you just don't move him inside because hes "bigger". Move Howard or someone else inside if the d tackles can't create pressure/bat balls down on passing situations.

Julius Peppers, Reggie White, JJ Watt, and Myles Garrett are examples of bigger defensive ends. Aaron Donald was an example of a smaller d tackle.

Time will tell and seems like a great problem to have.

 

[RememberMurray]

I am well aware DE's move in some cases. It would have happened last year and it didn't. Have an All American type talent at DE you just don't move him inside because hes "bigger". Move Howard or someone else inside if the d tackles can't create pressure/bat balls down on passing situations.

Julius Peppers, Reggie White, JJ Watt, and Myles Garrett are examples of bigger defensive ends. Aaron Donald was an example of a smaller d tackle.

Time will tell and seems like a great problem to have.

Reggie White was primarily an end, but he did move to tackle occasionally.

John Randle began his career as a tackle, and moved to end later in his career.

Both are enshrined in Canton.

It isn't all that unusual for defensive linemen to move inside or outside, and it can be extremely effective when they do so.

 

[GophEnEspaña]

Not that Ryan Burns is the end all be all, by any means, but on GGR podcast he thinks Bush will be a significant contributor who is opposite Smith, with Menz getting reps too.

He takes sqaure aim at Howard and says if he wants to get on the field this year he needs to step it up.

FWIW to you

That seems a little dramatic. Get on the field at all? Depending on our DT situation, we may have to play Smith inside more which means we'll need the bodies on the outside. However, we don't know what's going on in film rooms, at practice, etc and maybe the lost stock with the staff last year for whatever reason.

A pash rush/3rd down package with Smith, Howard, Menz, and Bush would be nasty.