One to Watch California: Interview with St. Anthony Class of 2017 RB/WR/CB Byron BJ Busbee

Written by Ryan Wright

Twiter: @HogManInLA

The Long Beach area in California was broadsided by an unexpected offensive force in 2015 when Byron “B.J.” Busbee crushed it as an all-purpose back, slot receiver, and cornerback for St. Anthony’s High School. Busbee started as a sophomore but kicked his production into high-gear as a junior producing 1,222 yards of offense from the line of scrimmage with 16 total touchdowns.

How Busbee’s recruiting going forward works out will be interesting to follow. There is a resurgence of scatbacks in the NFL with once cowardly coaches afraid to venture out on a player because of the lack of prototypical size. The play of Darren Sproles (5’6”), Danny Woodhead (5’8”), and Jaquizz Rodgers (5’6”) has started to change how the scouting process works from the pro level, to college, and even in the high school ranks. Tape does not lie and stats can tell a pretty good story.

One of the bigger recruits, no pun intended, in the 2016 recruiting class is Sean McGrew. McGrew is a rated as a 4-star player for St. John Bosco, the No. 1 team in the nation out of Bellflower, California. McGrew is headed to the University of Washington to play running back despite being listed at 5’7”, 170 pounds. McGrew has offers from other Power Five Conference programs and the like including Arizona, Colorado, Arizona State, Washington State, Colorado, Colorado State, Cal, BYU, and UCLA.

McGrew has proven his worth against some of the toughest teams in California over his three-year high school career culminating with an on-going season that has produced 1,668 yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground along with 16 receptions for 248 yards with another three scores.

Busbee may have a little ways to go to rise to McGrew’s current status, but the Class of 2017 rising star is making big strides up college recruiting boards. Teams showing interest include Duke, Washington State, University of San Diego, Northern Arizona, San Jose State, and USC.

One thing Busbee is, he is the prototypical scatback and prototypical slot receiver. Listed at 5’6”, 150 pounds, Busbee is dangerous in space with breakaway speed and June bug quickness in space. He’s also not afraid to lower his shoulder for extra yards or go across the middle taking a big hit to move the chains. Busbee put up 736 rushing yards averaging 7.8 yards per carry, had 42 receptions for 486 yards with three scores, and came up with 21 tackles and two forced fumbles playing in the Saints’ secondary.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Byron to go over his junior season, found out his offseason plans, and got a recruiting news update.

Interview

Byron, St. Anthony’s ended the season with a 6-5 record making the first round of the playoffs. Looking back, how did the team perform in 2015 in your opinion?

“I think we did good. Here and there we messed up. We always came together each game as a team. No matter how things turned out there was no infighting or finger pointing going on.”

Which positions did you play as a sophomore?

“I started in the slot and at corner.”

How was the progression on the field for you picking up playing running back?

“I used to play running back in Pop Warner, so I had some experience coming in. Last year playing slot, I was working on my routes and then this year playing running back in the first game I had a hard time and was not reading the holes right. As the season went on I kept working on it in practice. I worked on hitting the holes hard and started to get it.”

Which position on offense do you like better, running back or slot?

“I like the slot best.”

Why the slot?

“My get off and to be honest, I don’t think anyone can jam me. I’m quick and explosive.”

The 2015 season just ended but have you already started doing your offseason workouts?

“Yes, I started this week.”

What are some of the things you are focusing on with your workouts to improve upon for your senior year?

“The things I’m working on for my senior year, getting my cuts right, hitting holes harder, and lifting to get bigger.”

Do you already have plans to attend one-day college camps?

“Oh yes. Over the summer I’m planning on attending camps with USC and UCLA. San Diego State for sure. I don’t know about San Jose State yet but more than likely Fresno State. I went to a Fresno State camp last year.”

When you line up at the camps, which position will you register at, running back or slot?

“As a slot receiver.”

As a slot receiver, what do you do well? You said your quick off the line and you can’t be jammed, but what else do you do well as a receiver?

“I’m very quick, I’m too quick for a linebacker. In one-on-ones I’m going to win. I have great hands. I’m not afraid to go over the middle or take a hit. I catch everything that comes my way.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“NAU (Northern Arizona), Duke, San Jose, San Diego, and USC. I’ve talked to Washington State too.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I took one to NAU and to San Jose State.”

How did the NAU visit go?

“It went well. I really liked the campus. I did the campus tour to see it all.”

How did your visit to San Jose State go for you?

“It went good. I talked to Coach Donte (Williams), the DB coach. I walked around the campus and went into the weight room. I got to see how they run their program, their eating habits, and watched their spring game.”

What type of feedback have you received from these colleges?

“The only piece of feedback I’ve really received was from USC Coach Keynodo (Hudson – defensive administrative assistant), he said I need to get bigger and keep working.”

When you start taking trips and evaluating your needs with different colleges, what are some of the things you are looking at with a school?

“First the education and then which one has the best engineering program.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I’m scheduled to take the ACT in March.”

Do you have a cumulative GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“3.0.”

Do you participate in any other sports for St. Anthony’s?

“I run track.”

Which events?

“The 100, 200, 400, 4×1, and 4×4.”

Which event is your best?

“I’d say the 100, everyone says the 400 is my best.”

What is your best time in the 100?

“11.4.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part is the hitting. I love hitting. When I’m on the field I don’t think about anything else. I don’t think about anything else, there are no problems when I’m on the field.”

Byron, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts and the college camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Alex Honeycutt; Byron Busbee in action for St. Anthony’s.