Bush says he's ready for NFL

Southern California's tailback is expected to be a top pick in the April draft.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Reggie Bush was ready to bolt.
The decision to pass up his senior season at Southern California was a difficult one, but the Heisman Trophy winner said he's eager for a new challenge -- such as playing for a losing team.
The Houston Texans, coming off a 2-14 record and without a winning season in their four-year existence, own the No. 1 pick in April's draft. Bush could be their choice.
"If they were to pick me, I wouldn't have a problem with that. I'm just excited to have an opportunity to make my mark at the next level, just to play for an NFL team," Bush said Thursday at a news conference on campus.
"Whatever team I go to, whether it's the Texans or another team, I hope I can build the same kind of relationships that I did with my teammates here."
May be selected first
Bush is expected to be one of the first players taken in the draft -- with many projecting him to go first overall.
"He's such a special player, a once-in-a-lifetime talent," said USC coach Pete Carroll, a former head coach with the New York Jets and New England Patriots. "He's a game-changer, with his speed, instincts, vision and competitiveness. He's just so much fun to watch."
"He'll take that talent to the NFL and wow them there as a runner, receiver and as a returner. Now the Reggie Bush Show goes to Sundays, and I can't wait to watch him," Carroll said in a statement.
He was in Northern California to attend the funeral of the father of USC linebacker Rey Maualuga. Talatonu Maualuga died after a long illness.
Thunder and Lightning
Bush, who turns 21 in March, made his announcement a day after running mate LenDale White made his decision to leave school early to go to the NFL. The elusive Bush had been the Trojans' Lightning to the power-running White's Thunder in the USC backfield.
With quarterback Matt Leinart out of eligibility and Bush and White leaving early, All-America receiver Dwayne Jarrett will be USC's highest-profile offensive star going into next season.
Jarrett said it's hard to see Bush go.
"But he has nothing else to prove in college football," Jarrett said. "And I know he is going to do well up there."
The 6-foot, 200-pounder Bush, from the San Diego suburb of Spring Valley, had 1,740 yards rushing and 2,890 all-purpose yards this season for the Trojans, denied an unprecedented third straight national title by a 41-38 loss to Texas in the Rose Bowl last week.
"I almost feel like I'm in debt to this program -- the opportunity to win two national championships back-to-back and compete for a third, win the Heisman Trophy, and the opportunity to play close to home," said Bush, who wore San Diego's 619 area code painted underneath his eyes during USC games.
Bush said he was the first member of his family to go to a four-year college. The political science major said emphatically, "I will get my degree, and I will get it at USC."
Asked about the probability of becoming a multimillionaire when he signs an NFL contract, Bush laughed and said, "It hasn't sunk in yet. I don't think it will until I get that first check."
Bush's uncanny agility, speed and ability to change direction has drawn comparisons to Gale Sayers, Barry Sanders, Tony Dorsett and Marshall Faulk.
Bush averaged an amazing 8.9 yards per carry this season, caught 37 passes for 478 yards and led the nation in all-purpose yards with 222.3 per game.
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