Countdown to kickoff is back! USC will kick off its 2026 football season on August 29 when the Trojans host San Jose State at the Coliseum. In this series, we will be counting down the days until the season opener by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number.
With five days to go, today we look at USC Heisman Trophy running back Reggie Bush.
Position: Running back
Years played at USC: 2003-2005
Career highlights: Nicknamed “Lightning”, Bush is arguably the most exciting player in college football history. In three years at USC, he recorded more than 6,500 all-purpose yards and 42 total touchdowns. In both 2004 and 2005, he was a Consensus All-American and a Heisman finalist. As a junior in 2005, Bush won just about every award that he was eligible
for, including becoming USC’s seventh Heisman Trophy winner.
In Bush’s three years in Cardinal and Gold, the Trojans went a remarkable 37-2. USC won the 2003 and 2004 national championships and came up one game short of winning a third consecutive title in 2005, falling in an instant classic Rose Bowl to Texas.
After USC: Bush declared for the 2006 NFL Draft, where the New Orleans Saints selected him with the second overall pick. He would go on to play 11 seasons in the league with New Orleans, the Miami Dolphins, the Detroit Lions, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Buffalo Bills. Highlights of Bush’s NFL career included rushing for over 1,000 yards in both 2011 and 2013, being named first-team All-Pro as a returner in 2008, and winning Super Bowl XLIV.
Following his USC career, Bush was subject to a lengthy investigation into allegations that he received improper benefits from an outside agent while playing for the Trojans. In 2010, as part of extremely harsh sanctions against USC, Bush was stripped of his 2005 Heisman Trophy. In addition, USC was forced to vacate 14 wins from the 2004 and 2005 seasons as well as the 2004 BCS national championship and completely disassociate from Bush.
The Trojans’ mandatory disassociation from Bush expired in 2020 after ten years. In addition, his Heisman Trophy was returned and his jersey was re-retired by USC in 2024. As of August 2026, however, the Trojans have still not been given back their victories or the 2004 BCS championship.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans running back Reggie Bush
