Matt

Bushman

We haven’t received official word on Travis Kelce’s (knee) status for the evening, but Bushman being elevated before kickoff isn’t a good sign. The only fantasy weight Bushman carries heading into Week 1 is what his elevation could signal for Kelce. If Kelce is unable to go, Noah Gray would be on the radar as a desperation streamer. In addition to Bushman, the Chiefs also elevated DT Matt Dickerson.

Bushman (6'4/245) measured in with 32 5/8" arms, 9 3/8" hands and a 77 7/8" wing span. He did not run the 40-yard dash and the broad jump due to him still recovering from achilles surgery six months ago, but the fact he is doing any drills at all is a testament to his will. Bushman recorded a 32.5" vertical would have ranked right around the average from last year’s combine tight end group. His 4.41 shuttle run matched Cole Kmet’s time from 2020 and an impressive 23 bench reps that would have tied him for second most in last year’s class. Though Bushman is long in the tooth at 25 years old, he posted at least 500 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons and is one of the few field stretching tight ends in the 2021 class with an average target depth of 12 yards over his last two campaigns. He is an intriguing flex tight end that can be had in the middle-to-late rounds of this year’s draft.

Bushman (6'5/245) had the opportunity to turn pro at the end of the 2019 season, but he ultimately decided to return to BYU for his senior year. The nature of the injury is unknown at this point, but the fact that he needed to be carted off and teammates were said to be “devastated” does not sound promising. And if Bushman has to miss an extended period of time (or the entire season) this would be a major blow for BYU to take, as he is one of the top tight ends in college football. Last season Bushman caught 47 passes for 688 yards and four touchdowns.

Bushman (6'5/245) was due to undergo an MRI on Tuesday, and while there were some early reports that he would not play this season BYU did not confirm the news until later in the day. This is a huge personnel loss for the Cougars, as Bushman was expected by many to be one of the top tight ends in college football. Without their senior tight end BYU will have to lean even more on junior wideouts Neil Pau’u, Gunner Romney and Dax Milne in the passing game.

Bushman (6'5/245) was viewed as a player likely to forego his final season of eligibility to turn pro, but the junior tight end has decided to return to Provo for the 2020 campaign. In 2019 he caught 47 passes for 688 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Cougars in receiving yards. Bushman, who according to Pro Football Network draft analyst Tony Pauline received Day 3/UDFA feedback from some NFL scouts, will be one of the top contenders for the John Mackey Award (given to the nation’s best tight end) next fall.

In addition to his impressive receiving performance, Bushman (6'5/245) also set a textbook seal block on a well-designed play where he pulled all the way from the right-to-the left side of the formation to crash down on a Hawaii interior defender and spring RB Tyler Allgeier for a long gain. Bushman led BYU in receiving and made multiple impressive catches including a beautiful one-handed grab that he broke for a 31-yard completion. For the season, he caught 47 passes for 688 yards and four touchdowns while leading the Cougars in receiving. Bushman is a former freshman All-American who is somewhat long in the tooth for a junior at 24 years old thanks to a two-year mission. He is strongly considering declaring for the NFL Draft and is graded by noted draft analyst Tony Pauline to be a third-to-fifth round prospect.

BYU quarterback Baylor Romney was able to throw three touchdowns in this one, but Bushman’s score was not from Romney but rather from Micah Simon; a 44-yarder with 8:36 left. It’s been a very solid year from the 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end, and many believe that Bushman could be one of the first of his position off the board if he gives up his senior year. His next chance comes on Saturday against Idaho State.

The previous career best for Bushman (6'5/245) was 97-yard effort on Nov. 4, 2017 at Fresno State, and he also had 92 yards against Utah in ‘The Holy War’ last season. He had never had a two-touchdown effort until Saturday’s breakout performance. Bushman and the Cougars will have a week off before another rivalry game against Utah State on Nov. 2.

Bushman was easily the best offensive player for the Cougars on Saturday, and that especially came true because quarterback Zack Wilson was mediocre -- we’re being nice -- and tailback Ty’Son Williams left with an injury. The touchdown was very fortunate, as it bounded off a Husky right into his hands. Still counts. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end has been exceptional to start the year, and more offensive fireworks can be expected next Saturday against Toledo.

Bushman was easily the top offensive player in this game for the Cougars, and Zack Wilson looked his way early and often. Unfortunately for BYU, it wasn’t enough to make up for the ineffective play of quarterback Zack Wilson, and the Cougars also couldn’t stop Zack Moss. Still, Bushman backed up the hype -- at least in week one -- of draft analysts who believe he’s one of the best players at his position in this class. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end should have another productive game next Saturday against Tennessee.