Expect Recruiting Rush for 2017 Northeast Mississippi JUCO DT Anthony Rush

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Feats of exceptional athleticism from skill position players line the nightly news during the fall when football is covered. But all coaches know the game is won and loss up front in the trenches where “the big uglies” maul each other play after play to produce or takeaway yards and inches as needed. One junior college defensive lineman teams are sure to be lining up for in the coming months in hopes of winning those battles in the future is Northeast Mississippi’s Anthony Rush.

Rush came to Northeast Mississippi via Cary High School in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. Rush was the type of talent that lined up anywhere he could to help his team playing tight end on offense and just about everywhere along the front seven on defense.

Once Northeast Mississippi got a chance to work with the 6’5”, 315 pound, talent, they put him at defensive tackle allowing his natural abilities to take over in stopping the run, effecting passes at the line of scrimmage, and pressuring the quarterback. When his freshman season was completed, Rush had racked up a stat line of 40 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, three sacks, and one blocked kick.

For the old timers out there, Rush has a little bit of John Henderson (Jaguars and Raiders) in him. His pre-game ritual may not be quite the same but Rush is a big guy that no one wants to mess with come game day. Colleges from all around are starting to key in on him even though the offers do not match his talent or future potential just yet. Mississippi State, Middle Tennessee, UAB, Ohio, and Western Kentucky have offered but teams like Alabama, Ole Miss, Cal, Iowa State, and Kansas are all showing some level of interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Rush getting an update on his football career, his 2015 season, offseason workouts, and recruiting.

Interview

Anthony, you move really well for a guy your size. Did you play any other positions in high school for Cary?

“Yes, I played tight end on offense and on defense I played striker, defensive end, nose guard, and defensive tackle.”

Is defensive tackle your best position?

“Yes sir. I love it down there.”

How does Northeast Mississippi look going into the 2016 season?

“We’ll be good. We have some weapons coming in – I’m not mentioning any names but we have some weapons coming in.”

What are some of the things you do well on the field as a defensive lineman?

“Well, last year I was a lot faster than the people I played against. I use my hands well. I’ve been working on that with my coach. I’ve been working on using my hands a lot more. I think I’ve gotten better at using my hands as well.”

At tackle, which do you do better, stop the run or put pressure on the quarterback?

“I know for a fact I can stop the run. I have a good passing game too, but you can always get better. I just want to be the best I can be on and off the field.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your freshman season with Northeast Mississippi?

“No, and I was kind of mad about that, but at the same time I guess that is something new. I was not happy about that.”

At the end of your senior year did you earn any individual honors?

“Yeah, I had first team All-State honors and I was ranked in North Carolina. I had all the awards in high school. On our helmets we had big plays stickers and I had the most. That was my goal every week was to get stickers. Football is natural for me.”

What are you working on during the offseason?

“Conditioning and losing some weight. I’m always working on that and I’m grinding every day.”

What is your weight goal for your sophomore season?

“I want to get back down to 310 to 300 for the season.”

Have you maxed out in any football lifts this offseason?

“Yeah, but I’m not a weight room person. I flip tires. I like the field action. The weight room does not impress me. I like flipping 500 pound tires.”

Did the coaches force you into the weight room to see where you are at with any of the lifts?

“We did not max out on all the lifts but I benched 225 pounds 13 times.”

As mentioned, you move really well for your size. What was the last 40-yard dash time you posted?

“My last time was a 5-flat.”

Have you set goals for yourself for your sophomore year?

“Yeah, I want to be more of a leader. Usually on game day, I have a meltdown in the locker room. I have a black out and get hyped. I’m a leader by example now. I want to talk to people more. Last year I would only talk to a few people here and there. Coach has expressed to me he wants me to be a leader on the team. I told him I would.”

Did you used to meltdown in high school before a game?

“I never melted down in high school. I don’t know why I do now.”

Have you been on any unofficial visits yet?

“I went to Mississippi State’s spring game.”

Did you like your visit to Mississippi State?

“I liked it. The atmosphere was good. I saw a couple of people I played against there. I did like it.”

Which teams have offered you so far?

“Mississippi State has offered so has Middle Tennessee, UAB, Ohio, and Western Kentucky. A lot of schools are coming to see me to evaluate me. I want a team that needs me not wants me.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered you yet?

“Iowa State, Kansas, and a whole bunch of them – Alabama, Ole Miss, and Cal.”

You mentioned teams that need you not just want you. What else will influence your final decision on a four-year school?

“I want a place I feel at home at and I have to be comfortable in the environment.”

Do you have an idea on your timeframe on making a decision?

“I plan on taking all five of my visits, so I’ll probably commit in the middle of the season.”

When you go to a four-year school, what do you want to major in once on campus?

“Sports medicine.”

Did you play any other sports in high school other than football?

“I threw the shotput and I played a little basketball.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I like the feeling of playing football. I like the people, the coaches, and the players. I like to meet different people and compete against the best people in the world. I just love football.”

Well said. Anthony, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com (twice); No. 44 Anthony Rush tracks a running back.

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 44 Anthony Rush runs onto the field.