Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Bush the consistent cog in Blue Raider secondary
11/14/2018 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Through Middle Tennessee's 7-3 start to the season, the Blue Raider defense has had to use several different secondary combinations because of injury.
Five different players have started at least one game at either safety spot, creating a bit of a fluid position.
Maybe the most consistent name showing up in the box score every single week for MT's safeties has been senior Wesley Bush, the only safety on the roster to play in all 10 games so far.
The Macon, Mississippi native is in his second year at Middle Tennessee after transferring last summer from Northwest Mississippi Community College.
While he didn't make a huge impact in his first season in Murfreesboro, earning one start and racking up 22 tackles, Bush has exploded in 2018. The most consistent cog in the Blue Raider safety group has racked up 43 tackles to rank fifth on the team, and his four interceptions are tied for second in Conference USA and seventh nationally.
"He's been very consistent," Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill said. "He's done a good job within the scheme of our defense, he's been on special teams and done a lot of good things for us.
"I'm really proud of Wesley for what he's done in the entirety of this season so far, not just the interceptions that he's had."
Two of Bush's interceptions have ended in touchdowns, including a 75-yarder in the fourth quarter of MT's latest game that clinched a 48-32 win.
His pick-six was the 12th interception of the season for Middle Tennessee and its 19th turnover forced, far surpassing last year's totals of five INTs and 11 turnovers.
"Over the offseason, we really preached getting turnovers," Bush said. "In our team periods, [second-year defensive coordinator Scott Shafer] preached catching the ball whenever we could get a hand on it. When we missed the ball, we had to do pushups."
Bush's sure hands were developed while playing safety at Northwest Mississippi, one of the premiere junior college football programs in the nation.
He helped lead the team to a combined 20-4 record in his two seasons, and as a freshman in 2015, the Rangers captured the NJCAA national championship, their third in program history.
It was Bush's second time reaching the pinnacle of a football season after his Noxubee County High School Tigers won the Mississippi class 4A state title in 2014, finishing 14-2.
Having championship experience has helped Bush handle the Blue Raiders' current fight for the Conference USA East Division.
"In high school and at Northwest, we played great talent," Bush said. "That made playing schools here like the ones in the SEC kind of normal … and it made me a better player."
After helping Noxubee County clinch the state title in 2014, Bush decided to continue his football career at Northwest Mississippi.
Though he was only there two years, his experience in the northwest Mississippi town of Senatobia – just south of Memphis, Tennessee – was life-changing.
"I wasn't the greatest kid and didn't like school too much," Bush said. "I learned a lot, that you need school and you need your books. It helped me grow and develop myself into a player and a man."
Bush's chance to crack into Division I football came in December of 2016, when he signed early with Middle Tennessee.
He's had to learn a lot and gain experience as a Blue Raider – after all, he didn't start playing football until he was a junior in high school.
The senior has shown he's improving with every game, though, and he has one more opportunity to take the Floyd Stadium turf. Middle Tennessee will host UAB on senior day Nov. 24 with its conference title hopes on the line.
"Middle Tennessee has meant a lot to me," Bush said. "Coach Stock and this team gave me a chance to keep playing, and I've taken full advantage of it.
"I'm just happy that my parents and my family have a chance to come see me play."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
Five different players have started at least one game at either safety spot, creating a bit of a fluid position.
Maybe the most consistent name showing up in the box score every single week for MT's safeties has been senior Wesley Bush, the only safety on the roster to play in all 10 games so far.
The Macon, Mississippi native is in his second year at Middle Tennessee after transferring last summer from Northwest Mississippi Community College.
While he didn't make a huge impact in his first season in Murfreesboro, earning one start and racking up 22 tackles, Bush has exploded in 2018. The most consistent cog in the Blue Raider safety group has racked up 43 tackles to rank fifth on the team, and his four interceptions are tied for second in Conference USA and seventh nationally.
"He's been very consistent," Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill said. "He's done a good job within the scheme of our defense, he's been on special teams and done a lot of good things for us.
"I'm really proud of Wesley for what he's done in the entirety of this season so far, not just the interceptions that he's had."
Two of Bush's interceptions have ended in touchdowns, including a 75-yarder in the fourth quarter of MT's latest game that clinched a 48-32 win.
His pick-six was the 12th interception of the season for Middle Tennessee and its 19th turnover forced, far surpassing last year's totals of five INTs and 11 turnovers.
"Over the offseason, we really preached getting turnovers," Bush said. "In our team periods, [second-year defensive coordinator Scott Shafer] preached catching the ball whenever we could get a hand on it. When we missed the ball, we had to do pushups."
Bush's sure hands were developed while playing safety at Northwest Mississippi, one of the premiere junior college football programs in the nation.
He helped lead the team to a combined 20-4 record in his two seasons, and as a freshman in 2015, the Rangers captured the NJCAA national championship, their third in program history.
It was Bush's second time reaching the pinnacle of a football season after his Noxubee County High School Tigers won the Mississippi class 4A state title in 2014, finishing 14-2.
Having championship experience has helped Bush handle the Blue Raiders' current fight for the Conference USA East Division.
"In high school and at Northwest, we played great talent," Bush said. "That made playing schools here like the ones in the SEC kind of normal … and it made me a better player."
After helping Noxubee County clinch the state title in 2014, Bush decided to continue his football career at Northwest Mississippi.
Though he was only there two years, his experience in the northwest Mississippi town of Senatobia – just south of Memphis, Tennessee – was life-changing.
"I wasn't the greatest kid and didn't like school too much," Bush said. "I learned a lot, that you need school and you need your books. It helped me grow and develop myself into a player and a man."
Bush's chance to crack into Division I football came in December of 2016, when he signed early with Middle Tennessee.
He's had to learn a lot and gain experience as a Blue Raider – after all, he didn't start playing football until he was a junior in high school.
The senior has shown he's improving with every game, though, and he has one more opportunity to take the Floyd Stadium turf. Middle Tennessee will host UAB on senior day Nov. 24 with its conference title hopes on the line.
"Middle Tennessee has meant a lot to me," Bush said. "Coach Stock and this team gave me a chance to keep playing, and I've taken full advantage of it.
"I'm just happy that my parents and my family have a chance to come see me play."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
Players Mentioned
DB
/ FootballBlue Raider Breakdown Postgame Show - October 29th
Thursday, October 30
MTSU Football vs. Jacksonville State post-game press conference – 10/29/25
Thursday, October 30
MTSU Football vs. Jacksonville State post-game press conference – 10/29/25
Wednesday, October 29
Raider Report Game 8 - MTSU vs. Jacksonville State University
Tuesday, October 28
