US Sport story by Georgina Scane, Fri, 13 Jan 2006 18:16:00 GMT


Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush officially announced on Thursday that he will enter the NFL draft a year early and skip his senior year at the University of Southern California. The 20-year-old running back is heavily tipped to join the Houston Texans.

"I wouldn't have a problem playing for Houston if they were to pick me," Bush admitted at a news conference held to announce his decision. "This is a dream come true. I'm excited about having an opportunity to prove myself at the next level, and if that was with Houston, it would make everything even better."

Last season Bush rushed through 1,740 yards, averaging almost nine yards a game and it was being whispered that he would opt to enter the NHL draft a year ahead of what he originally said. Bush follows teammate LenDale White in skipping the senior year to turn pro. Texans general manager Charley Casserly said that both Vince Young and Bush were hot prospects for the year ahead, "They're both great players. Young's an excellent athlete, a winner and a leader. I think he'll be a fine quarterback. If you have a Reggie Bush, he's an explosive player. Hands on the ball, he can score any time he gets it."

USC coach Pete Carroll wished Bush well and had told him that he should only quit when he was ready, "He's such a special player, a once-in-a-lifetime talent. All of us were fortunate to coach and play with Reggie," Carroll commented.

Bush said that he would also have to take care of the financial side of things and invest in his future. But he stressed that he would graduate from USC and was just two semesters behind the units that he required to do so. He added that it would not be easy to answer questions about his readiness until he tested out, "I'll have to position myself to have an impact right away, and that will take a lot of hard work. It's not going to come easy."

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