Interview: Georgia 2018 CB Clifton Bush Ready to Show Skills Against Alabama Competition
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Alabama high school football has been put on notice by cornerback/athlete Clifton Bush. The Class of 2018 talent has showcased what he can do against Georgia competition and now has his eyes set on dominating 7A ball in the Yellowhammer State. After the stat line Bush put up during his junior season, his proclamation carries heavy weight.
Bush was as busy as any other cornerback in the nation during the 2016 helping Lanier High School to a 7-4 record against 6A teams. At the end of his junior campaign, Bush had racked up 71 stops, four tackles for a loss, broke up nine passes, and picked off five attempts. The stats speak volumes, but adds some extra emphasis knowing that was Bush’s first year playing corner after two season playing running back for North Spring.
The 2017 season is setup to be a combination of all Bush’s prior efforts into an action-packed year. In the off-season, Bush moved from Georgia back to his childhood hometown of Birmingham. He has enrolled at Huffman High School where he will not only play corner but also lineup on offense at tailback and receiver. If all goes as planned, more Division-I programs will get in line to recruit the 5-9, 180 pound, playmaker. Whoever pursues Bush will play catch-up with Navy. On June 25, Bush verbally committed to the Midshipmen. Teams like Chattanooga, who has offered Bush, South Florida, Georgia State, Samford, Western Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, and Mercer are showing big interest in the all-around athlete with more expected to come to the yard on Friday nights once the season begins.
In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Bush covering his move from Georgia to Alabama, his play on the field, and his verbal commitment to Navy.
Interview
Clifton, you were busy on the field during your junior year racking up 71 tackles with five picks. Was there a point in the season when offenses started going away from you?
“Yeah. They started going away from me later in the season.”
Did you expect to turn in that kind of performance on defense last year?
“Last year was my first year playing defense full-time. Before that I was playing running back. It was all new for me, but I wanted to be out there. I enjoyed it. I made a lot plays.”
You had an ideal pick-six jumping a route with a smooth run into the end zone, what was going through your mind when you had secured the pass with no one in front of you?
“I saw no one was in front of me when I picked it off and then I looked back. After the play, I was thinking I should have showed my speed running the ball into the end zone.”
You do a lot of things really well on the field, what do you see as the strengths of your game?
“Reading keys, playing zone, and reading the quarterback. I mix up my coverage. Sometimes I jam and sometimes I play off. I play with the quarterback’s head a lot and bait him. I try to get the quarterback to throw to my side. I am a good tackler. I’m looking forward to showing more of that this season. I’m ready to make a lot of noise.”
In the off-season you transferred schools, how has the transfer gone to Huffman?
“I feel like it has gone well. I know my Lanier team is upset about losing me. Transferring to this new school, all the coaches know me from grade school. I will have a big year in 2017.”
Have you practiced with the new team yet?
“Yes, sir. I practiced last Friday and on Monday.”
Looking ahead to the 2017 season, how does team look?
“We are looking good. We have a lot of big bodies. They were young last year and went 4-6. I know I can make plays for them this year. I’ve played in Mississippi and Georgia, Alabama is good but not as good as Georgia. I’m ready to tear it up.”
Where all will we see you on the field this year?
“Running back, receiver, and corner.”
What goals have you set for yourself for your senior year?
“I want to have seven picks on defense, five offensive touchdowns, and 85 total tackles. The defense at Huffman is different from Lanier, but I’m still planning on making plays.”
Is there a game on the schedule you are pumped to play?
“My top two are Hoover and Mountain Brook. I played out here until sixth grade. I know a lot of the Hoover guys. I know AJ Gates at Mountain Brook. I feel good about moving back to my hometown, but I hate leaving my old team.”
Did you attend any college camps this summer?
“I went to a Vanderbilt and Samford satellite camp.”
Did you run a 40-yard dash this summer?
“I did. I ran a 4.54 at the Samford camp.”
You committed to Navy on June 25, what led you to the Midshipmen being the school for you?
“I have a good relationship with Coach (Robert) Green (secondary coach) and I feel Navy is a great school all the way around. Getting a degree from there will set me up for life. They produce leaders. I want to do what is best for me and my future and I felt Navy was the place for me.”
When will you take your official visit to Navy?
“I talked to the coaches about that on Sunday. We are looking in to that but have not set a date yet.”
Just because you are committed does not mean college programs will stay away from you. Which schools are still showing recruiting interest in you?
“Of course, Navy is still talking to me. Mercer has shown a lot of love. South Florida, Georgia State, Eastern Kentucky, UT-Chattanooga, Tennessee Tech, Western Carolina, and Samford are all showing interest in me.”
Clifton, thanks for your time today and good luck with the upcoming season.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Gwinnett Prep Sports; No. 2 Clifton Bush returns a pick (2016).
Photo credit: Gwinnett Prep Sports; No. 2 Clifton Bush studies a receiver pre-snap (2016).
Photo credit: Bush family; Clifton Bush at a Vanderbilt camp (2017).