Arquon Bush, CB Cincinnati: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Bush was a three-star recruit from Euclid High School in Euclid, Ohio in the class of 2018

The Cincinnati Bearcats had one of the best secondaries in college football in 2021. Many people know Coby Bryant and Ahmad Gardner, but slot defender Arquon Bush also played at a high level on that team. Bush is now competing for a spot in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Visit my Twitter account @Sam_Teets33 for more updates and previews of the 2023 NFL Draft Guide.

Arquon Bush, CB Cincinnati: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt senior outside corner from Cleveland, Ohio

Background: Bush was a three-star recruit from Euclid High School in Euclid, Ohio in the class of 2018. He was the No. 730 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 694 for On3.com. Bush was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals. He was an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 75 grade out of 100. Bush committed to Cincinnati over offers from Kentucky, Michigan State, Purdue, and Rutgers. In high school, he earned Second-Team Northeast Ohio Lakes District honors and made the News Herald All-Star Team. As a senior, Bush produced 17 tackles, nine passes defensed, an interception, and two forced fumbles. He also scored twice as a wide receiver and totaled 160 yards on offense. As a junior, he received OHSAA First-Team All-Ohio, First-Team All-Greater Cleveland Conference, and Cleveland.com All-Star honors. That year, Bush tallied 52 tackles, 13 passes defensed, and five interceptions. He handled punt return duties for Euclid High School, averaging 22 yards per return and scoring five times.

2022 Production: 13 games, 34 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed

2021 Production: 13 games, 40 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defensed

2020 Production: 9 games, 20 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defensed

2019 Production: 10 games, 16 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 5 passes defensed

2018 Production: 4 games, 3 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 interceptions, 2 passes defensed, 1 defensive touchdown (Redshirt Year)

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed four games in 2019, missed one game in 2020, missed one game in 2021, suffered a lower body injury in 2022 but didn’t miss time

Awards: 2022 Honorable Mention All-American Athletic Conference

Pros: Special teams experience on the kick coverage, punt return, and field goal block units, experience playing outside and in the slot, effective communicating and exchanging assignments pre-snap, good linear speed to carry receivers vertically, foot speed, fairly fluid hips, natural feel for positioning in zone coverage

Cons: Arm length, undersized with a lean frame, not twitchy or sudden, missed tackles because of small frame, not eager to contribute in run defense, doesn’t come downhill against the run or show high effort in pursuit, doesn’t wrap up and drive through ball carriers consistently, extremely passive into tackle attempts, struggles to disengage from WR blocks, occasionally flat-footed and blown past in off man coverage, declares hips early, allows separation at the top of the route, lacks the footwork and hip fluidity to mirror receivers, slower redirecting to contest comeback routes than ideal, limited snaps in true press coverage, gets himself turned around in coverage, bites on double moves, gives too much cushion in off man, allows way too much cushion during the route, manipulated by the QBs eyes when sitting in deep zone

Overview: Bush is unofficially listed at 6'0", 198 lbs. He primarily operated as a slot defender for his first four seasons with the Bearcats before kicking outside following the losses of Coby Bryant and Ahmad Gardner in the 2022 NFL Draft. Bush primarily lined up to the field side of the defense and spent a lot of time in off man coverage. The redshirt senior brings special teams experience on the kick coverage, punt return, and field goal block units to the league, which could provide him with a path to see the field. During his years spent in the slot, Bush displayed effective communication to adjust coverage assignments when the offense initiated motion or stacked receivers. He has good foot speed and linear speed to carry receivers vertically. Bush’s hips are fluid with little to no tightness. He has a natural feel for positioning in zone coverage. Bush has some physical limitations. His arm length is questionable, and he is undersized with a lean frame. The Cincinnati product isn’t sudden or twitchy. Bush misses tackles because of his small frame. He’s not eager to contribute in run defense and doesn’t come downhill against the run or show high effort in pursuit. Bush doesn’t wrap up and drive through ball carriers consistently. His tackle attempts are extremely passive. Bush struggles to disengage from blocks are redirect to the football. In coverage, he occasionally plays flat-footed and gets blown by in off man coverage. Bush is quick to declare his hips and gets turned around in coverage. He bites on double moves, pump fakes, and quarterback eye manipulation. Bush allows too much cushion in off man and continues to give too much space during the route. The Ohio native allows separation at the top of the routes and is slow redirecting to contest comeback routes. He doesn’t have the footwork or speed to mirror receivers and hasn’t taken many snaps in true press coverage.

Overall, Bush enters the NFL with a versatile background on defense and special teams, but he lacks the athletic traits and technique to offer significant upside in the NFL. Bush projects as an undrafted free agent who could catch on with a practice squad.

Role & Scheme Fit: Slot defender in a zone-heavy scheme

Round Projection: UDFA

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 02-21-23