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Way Too Early 2016 NFL Draft Profile: Deon Bush

In this new series, we will take a look at which current 'Canes have a chance to make a splash on draft day next season.

By Jerry Steinberg
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

2013 ALL-ACC, HONORABLE MENTION (ACSMA)

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As a junior racked up 53 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 INT.

Former 4 star prospect coming out of Colombus H.S. in Miami.

Runs in the 4.4 - 4.5 40 range.

Following a Freshman All American campaign in 2012, dropped off significantly due to injury (sports hernia) and no doubt concerns over his ill father, as a sophomore.

But bounced back with a big time impact season as a junior.

In fact when he missed a few games at the end of this past season, the defense & the team as a whole dropped off significantly.

However Bush still made enough plays this past season that there was talk/concern, he might come out early.

But Bush announced pretty early on he would be coming back to Miami, and 'Canes fans should be every excited to have him back in 2015.

NFL Scouts/Pundits already have an eye on him for next season's draft.

Let's take a look at why, and also what he needs to do to enhance his profile for next Spring.

Strengths:

#1 Physicality - At 6'1 205, Bush has the size to make a dent in ball carriers when he comes up in the box or blitzes, but also put WRs' heads on a swivel when they come across the middle. His 5 forced fumbles last season were no aberration, this guy can flat out stick.

#2 Coverage Skills -  DB can also play a mean center field.  While he only has 3 picks in 3 seasons, he has made a number of plays in coverage that demonstrate his abilities to close on the ball.

#3 SWAG - Bush plays the game the way UM teams of the late 90s and early 2000s used to, with attitude. There is never a shortage of effort, and he has the ferocity needed to succeed in the NFL as well.

#4 Can also play ST - Bush has no problem covering kicks. With the exception of franchise type players, this is a trait most any NFL Scout will take note of in a player they are considering drafting, especially defensive backs.

Weaknesses:

#1 Durability - Bush has missed time with injuries in each of the past two seasons.  He needs a healthy senior year to quell any notion that he is prone to miss time.

#2 Doesn't always wrap his man - Though he has had plenty of success going for the KO shot with shoulder only tackles, if one had to nitpick his game, the fact he does not often wrap up when he tackles would be the number one thing to be concerned with.

Summary:  As is the case with any of Miami's draft eligible players for 2016, a lot can change between now and next April. But of said group, Bush is the player I feel will end up with the highest draft grade by the conclusion of next season. His size, speed, and ball hawking nature should lead to a 2nd or 3rd round selection in 2016. With a big season season, he could even end up among the 1st 32 players picked.