Mizzou landed a commitment from Theodore (Ala.) High linebacker JJ Bush on Friday.
Bush, a 1-time Arkansas commit, is a blue-chip recruit in the 2026 class and one of the top-ranked linebackers in the SEC footprint. He originally committed to Arkansas in early July on the heels of an official visit, but left the class a day after the school fired head coach Sam Pittman. The Tigers, who were heavily involved in his recruitment prior to his July announcement, kept working to win his verbal the second time around.
Bush is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker prospect who began his prep career playing safety. He ranks as the No. 271 overall recruit in the 2026 cycle, according to the industry-generated 247 Composite. He’s the No. 14 recruit from the state of Alabama and the No. 17 linebacker in the class.
A multi-sport athlete, Bush was an Alabama All-Region selection as a junior on his school’s basketball team after averaging 18.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He had a 24.32-second time in the 200m as a junior running track. And, on the gridiron, he posted 69 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and an interception from his linebacker position while also running for 344 yards and 6 scores on the offensive side of the football.
Mizzou hosted Bush for an official visit on May 30. Bush also visited LSU. He told PowerMizzou.com after his official visit in May that he liked the plan linebackers coach Derek Nicholson pitched to him for his role in the Mizzou defense, and he also liked the “backup plans” Mizzou had for student-athletes who were unable to make the NFL.
“They’re a top academic school, they graduate 95% of football players every year. That stood out to me,” he told the outlet over the summer.
Bush’s verbal pledge gives the Tigers 13 known commitments in the 2026 cycle so far. The class ranks 69th nationally. You can see Bush’s highlight tape below, via Hudl:
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
