SAN ANTONIO – Clemens wide receiver Tommy Bush may be one of the highest-recruited players in San Antonio high school football history, but you wouldn’t know it by talking to him.
Bush has more than 40 offers to play college football. He is rated as a 4-star recruit by many recruiting services, will compete in the prestigious Under Armour All-American game and has had a whirlwind summer that included trips to meet coaches at Texas, Alabama, Auburn, Baylor and Florida State, among others.
Recommended Videos
Add to that an invitation to participate in the Nike Opening in Oregon, a gathering of the country’s top high school football players, and the hype surrounding Bush has continued to grow.
But Bush has stayed humble throughout the process. Much of that has to do because of the guidance of his parents, who have been with him every step of the way.
“To have two strong, smart parents that have been with me throughout this whole process is extremely important,” Bush said. "I come to them for anything and they are the main ones that have been sticking with me through this.”
40+ offers, 4-star status, yet Clemens @TheTommyBush11 stays humble during recruitment in large part due to parents->https://t.co/etPwO04Ril pic.twitter.com/S2tUYckymd
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) July 27, 2017
Bush’s recruitment officially began on Thanksgiving when he received his first offer from Texas State.
Since then, schools from all over the country and close to home have come knocking on the Bush family’s front door.
He said he plans to cut his list of schools to 11, his jersey number, around August with a verbal commitment coming any time afterward, when he and his parents feel comfortable.
Until that day comes, he will be the focus of football fans across the country and social media. Bush said the amount of attention that comes with the overall recruiting process has been surprising.
“Just how it blows up, everybody knows about it,” Bush said. "There’s a lot of expectations to be made and every day and every week there is something new that comes up.”
Bush has not tipped his cap as to whether he wants to stay close to home or go out of state.
He said he loved the atmosphere at Baylor. Texas A&M provides a great opportunity to play in the Southeastern Conference and he has gotten the chance to get to know the new staff at Texas well.
Bush said he has also built solid relationships with coaching staffs in the San Antonio area and Texas State in San Marcos.
The staff at the University of the Incarnate Word impressed Bush and his parents by simply saying he has a place to call home if he chooses to stay in San Antonio.
With all the attention surrounding him, it’s easy to forget that Bush is still a 17-year-old high school student.
He likes to play video games, listen to music and hang out with friends and family during his free time.
Despite his status as one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits, he still has moments that remind everyone he is a teenager, like getting the opportunity to meet Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice during in Oregon.
"He’s one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the game," Bush said with a smile. "Just to watch him run routes and hear how he struggled and where he came from, it was nice just to hear that from him.”
Bush is very appreciative for all the time coaches have spent with him, and feels blessed for every offer he has received.
Relationships are key in recruiting, but the one that matters most to Bush is between him and his parents.
It’s kept him grounded and he knows no matter what school he chooses, his parents will be stand behind his decision.
"I absolutely wouldn't have it any other way,” Bush says. “They have poured their everything into me.”
--------------------------------------------------------
Don't miss a thing. Get email alerts from KSAT12 today.
Get alerted to news events as they happen or sign up for a scheduled news headline email that is delivered right to your inbox. Breaking news, severe weather, daily forecasts, entertainment news, all of the day’s important events to keep you up to date wherever you are.
Sign up today. It's Free.