'09 FL WR Gary Bush (Purdue Verbal)

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Miami (FL) Columbus High School

Ht: 6-foot-1
Wt: 161 lbs
Forty: 4.6 secs
Class: 2009 (High School)

Committed to Purdue on 7/7. No story yet.

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Miami receiver picks Purdue | www.jconline.com | Journal and Courier

Gary Bush Jr., a three-sport star at Columbus High School in Miami, became the second member of Danny Hope's first recruiting class when he verbally committed Sunday to play for Purdue.

Bush, 6-foot, 175 pounds, is a wide receiver who plays in an offensive system that primarily runs the ball. As a junior he caught 15 passes for 320 yards and six touchdowns. Being able to play in the Boilermakers' spread, passing offense is what attracted him to West Lafayette.

"When I went there, I felt like I bonded with the coaches," Bush said of Hope, who will replace head coach Joe Tiller next season, and assistants Brian Rock and Terrell Williams. "And the fact that they throw the ball a lot was a major factor. It's very exciting."

Bush visited Purdue and Indiana about three weeks ago. Despite not having any other offers from the 30 or so schools that are recruiting him, he decided to commit early.

"He fell in love with the coaches," said Bush's father, Gary Sr. "He felt it would be a good place for him because they lose five receivers next season, and he has a chance to come in and contribute.

"He hasn't had an offer yet, but there are a lot of schools that are interested. His coach at Columbus said they are waiting to see how he does on the ACT."

According to Gary Sr., his son has a 2.8 grade point average and has heard from such schools as Boston College, Miami, Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville, Pittsburgh and Colorado.

"Right now, even if Florida State would come after him, I don't think that would change his mind," Gary Sr. said. "I think he'd probably keep Purdue. Because there are too many people telling him he's in the right situation. It's a good school that throws the ball and it has a need for receivers.

"My wife and I, we sat down as a family, and it was a no-brainer. Even if he was to go to Miami, they have tons of receivers there, year after year. And they don't throw the ball like Purdue."

Gary Sr. played college football at Mississippi Valley State and was a teammate of Jerry Rice. GJ's mother, Michele, played college basketball at Miami and North Carolina Central.

Bush also is being recruited in basketball and track. This past basketball season he averaged 18 points and six assists. In track, he finished third in the Class 3A-4A outdoor state finals with a leap of 23-10 1/2 in the long jump. He's also been timed in 11.08 in the 100-meter dash and 4.5 in the 40.

"Once I went to Purdue, I really liked it," Bush said. "I didn't want to leave, to tell you the truth. I knew Purdue was going to be the school where I was going to go. I'm the best receiver in Miami, and the other schools have missed out."

Columbus wideout Bush commits to Purdue - 07/07/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

In this Hoosier-state recruiting battle, score one for the Boilermakers.

Columbus' Gary Bush, a 6-1, 180-pound wide receiver, orally committed to attend Purdue University on Sunday night. His decision came after campus visits to Indiana and Purdue two weeks ago.

For Bush, West Lafayette was the clear winner between the two.

''It was really a no-brainer,'' Bush said. ``Me and the coach [Joe Tiller] just bonded. It felt like the right place for me to be. Indiana was nice, it was a lot like Purdue, but in the end I chose Purdue.''

He added that he and his parents talked about the long-distance move, but that he has family in nearby Indianapolis and that his folks ``supported my decision.''

The explosive Explorer also received attention from Ole Miss, Boston College, Alabama-Birmingham, Troy State and Vanderbilt before ending his recruitment experience early.

The rising senior is a three sport-star who transferred to Columbus from Southridge after his sophomore year. In the 2007-2008 season, Bush was among the Explorers' leaders in receptions -- usually of the breakaway-variety -- while also earning a Miami Herald All-Dade honorable mention for basketball and a second-team slot on the All-Dade Track and Field team.

In a midseason game against Miami Beach, Bush put the game out of reach with a 38-yard touchdown catch against the smaller Hi-Tides secondary. He recorded a 33-yard TD a month later against South Miami. Columbus' deep-threat paced the team with 21.3-yards per catch on the season.

Bush runs a 4.5-40 yard dash and his leaping ability (23-10 long-jump) at 6-1 makes for a huge downfield target. His second place long-jump finish helped Columbus secure the District 15-4A championships in April.

Strength might be an issue, as Columbus coach Chris Merritt says ''there is no offseason'' for the multi-sport Bush to devote lots of time to the weight room.

''For a guy like him, it's more about just maintaining. It's hard with his schedule,'' said Merritt, who describes Bush as an ``all-around Division I athlete.''

But Bush says he has a plan for that dilemma.

''We don't start camp for a little while, so right now I'm just in the weight room, doing the work,'' he said.

Bush insisted the answer is not to give up on his other athletic pursuits. He is quick to note that while he and the staff at Purdue talked about the possibility of playing hoops, ``Track is a definite. I'll definitely be jumping.''

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Rivals $

7/9

Gary's coach (an Indiana alum) calls him a diamond in the rough and talks about the interest Gary had been receiving before committing to Purdue.