Football

A gifted and inspired player, Stephen returns for a second try at his senior season after an injury converted him into a medical redshirt in 2014...comes into the season having played in 35 career games with 14 starts...has 126 career carries for 528 yards and nine touchdowns, along with 14 cathes for 116 yards...has 644 all-purpose yards, a number that is sure to grow in 2015...one of the top leaders on the squad, as evidenced by his selection as team captain last year despite only playing in three games...excellent pass protection and great knowledge of the system...the tye of player who could see playing time on every special team unit due to his effort, hustle and smarts...simply finds ways to contribute and succeed...a CoSIDA Academic All-District in the classroom...plenty of grit, he has also been a fearless contributor on special teams.

AT TECH (IN 2014): Off to a strong start in his senior season, Stephen was a starter in the backfield for the first three games before an injury put an abrupt halt to the season...spent the remainder of the year as a vocal member of the team, encouraging his teammates from the sidelines and on the practice field...was co-winner of the team's Unsung Hero Award...despite playing just three game, he was also chosen as a team capatin....saw regular duty in the first three games...six carries for 36 yards in the opener vs. Kentucky Christian, five totes for 10 yards at Indiana State, and six tries for 16 yards at Tennessee State...also caught a pass in the opener for 17 yards.

(IN 2013): Started in six games as a junior, and played in 11 games total...finished third on the team in rushing with 306 yards on 62 carries and seven touchdowns...rushed for a career-high 76 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns against Southeast Missouri... rushed for three touchdowns in the season finale against Austin Peay.

(IN 2012): Started in four games in his second season on the roster, and played in 10 contests...rushed for 155 yards on 46 carries... scored a touchdown against North Greenville, and reached the end zone against Southeast Missouri...had seven receptions for 46 yards...accounted for 201 all-purpose yards.

(IN 2011): Saw action in all 11 games as a true freshman for the Golden Eagles, mostly in a blocking capacity...logged five rushing yards on one carry in Tech's win against Austin Peay that clinched the OVC title.

BEFORE TECH: Stephen was a three-year standout at Cookeville High School, serving as team captain as a senior on his way to being named District 6 Class 6A Most Valuable Player...an honors student, he was named to the Herald-Citizen All-Upper Cumberland first-team, and was voted by his team as the Most Valuable Offensive Player...received the prestigious Cav Award...as a senior, he rushed for 1,292 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per try...also had 202 receiving yards and two touchdowns, 16 punt returns for 205 yards and 15 kick returns for 238 yards...on defense, he had 36 total tackles and three interceptions.

PERSONAL: The son of Barry and Sharla Bush...birthdate is March 3, 1993...full name is James Stephen Walker Bush...majoring in accounting...eight-time member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll....earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in 2012.