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Overview
Brian Cushing is a linebacker for the Houston Texans, who selected him with the 15th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Cushing was named to the Pro Bowl and earned AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Cushing played four seasons at the University of Southern California.
Prep Career
Brian Cushing was a star linebacker and running back at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, NJ. During his senior season, he was a consensus first team All-America selection, finishing with 120 tackles, 10.0 sacks and seven interceptions. He also ran for 420 yards and scored 10 touchdowns as a running back. Brian Cushing planned to go to Notre Dame after finishing his high school career, but when the Fighting Irish fired coach Tyrone Willingham, he changed his mind and signed with USC.
Freshman Year
Brian Cushing played as a true freshman in 2005. He made one tackle in his USC debut, but suffered a dislocated shoulder in practice the next week. He missed the next five games, returning to the field against Washington State. He ended up starting the final four games of the season for USC, finishing with 23 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt in eight games.
Sophomore Year
Brian Cushing started all of his 2006 sophomore season as a stand-up defensive end in USC's hybrid 3-4 "Elephant" defense. He finished the season with 57 tackles, including a team-high 13.5 for loss. He also had 4.5 sacks, a blocked punt and a 42-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Notre Dame. He had seven total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in USC's Rose Bowl win against Michigan, earning Defensive MVP honors.
Junior Year
Brian Cushing sat out most of spring practice in 2007 due to a strained hamstring and had knee surgery at the end of the spring. He returned to his natural strong-side linebacker position for the fall season, and suffered a sprained ankle in the season opener against Idaho. Brian Cushing tried to play through the injury in the next two games, but aggravated it against Washington State and missed three games. He returned to the starting lineup for USC's final seven games, finishing the season with 25 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks.
Senior Year
Brian Cushing returned to USC for his final season, recording a career-high 73 tackles while playing every game for just the second time in his career. Brian Cushing had a career-high 10 total tackles in USC's win over Ohio State and he recorded his first career interception in USC's win over Stanford. Brian Cushing was a consensus first team All-Pac-10 selection and was a first team All-America selection by Sports Illustrated. He was a second team All-America selection by the Associated Press and The Sporting News. After the 2008 season, Cushing was invited to participate in the 2009 Senior Bowl, where he recorded one solo tackle in a winning effort for the South team.
NFL Career
Cushing was selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. One day after the start of training camp, Cushing signed a five-year/$22M contract with Houston. The contract included $12.5M in guaranteed money.
Cushing missed the entire 2009 preseason with a knee injury, but still earned a starting job and was in the starting lineup Week 1 for the Texans. In November, Cushing earned defensive rookie of the month honors, racking up 43 tackles, a sack and two interceptions. Cushing was one of two AFC rookies (along with Billls safety Jairus Byrd) selected to the Pro Bowl. He finished his rookie season with 134 total tackles, 5.0 sacks and four interceptions, earning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Cushing missed the entire 2009 preseason with a knee injury, but still earned a starting job and was in the starting lineup Week 1 for the Texans. In November, Cushing earned defensive rookie of the month honors, racking up 43 tackles, a sack and two interceptions. Cushing was one of two AFC rookies (along with Billls safety Jairus Byrd) selected to the Pro Bowl. He finished his rookie season with 134 total tackles, 5.0 sacks and four interceptions, earning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
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