Name: Peter Bush
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 232 lbs.
High school: Newport Beach (CA) Corona Del Mar
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #45
Last year: I ranked Bush #107 and said he would be a backup fullback (LINK).
TTB Rating: N/A
Bush, who made the switch from fullback to tight end mid-season, played in eight games on special teams and two games on offense last year. Most prominently, he played on the kickoff return unit as an upback.
This year Bush moves a little closer to playing time with the graduation of Jared Wangler and Zach Gentry. While the Wolverines are removing the fullback more and more from the equation, Bush is a good athlete who was a high school quarterback and outside linebacker. There are a lot of question marks about how fullback types will be used this season, but Bush should be in the mix behind Ben Mason and Ben Van Sumeren, with the former’s involvement on the defensive a potential wild card.
Prediction: Backup tight end
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Some guesses:
I still think Mason’s DL role will be situational/depth and not take away from whatever offensive duties he might have. I think he’ll play both ways.
There will be a situational/backup RB role for either BVS or BM, but probably not both. Expect both to continue to fill the FB duties, whatever those may be.
Would expect to see both BVS and BM (one at FB, one at RB) on field at same time, at some point. (goal-line package)
As for TE: We return 2 of our top 3 with young backups rising and add a bunch of WR talent (big and small) to replace Gentry’s slot receiving role. Maybe Mason chips in as an H-back now that he’s bigger but there’s not a need here unless injuries hit.
Wangler didn’t have much of a role as is but with FB further marginalized, he won’t need to be replaced at all is my guess.
I don’t see much role for a 230 lb walk-on at TE but Bush should continue to be an asset on special teams. If he has a role in the offense my guess is it would come at FB, if BVS or BM move somewhere full time.
In general, I’m inclined to think Harbaugh is telling the truth about playing Mason as much as possible.
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