Bush wasn’t even a starter in his sophomore season, but made big play after big play and finished fifth in the Heisman voting. This season, he’s become the biggest star on a team full of them.

“Over the summer, I wanted to focus on being a complete running back, working on pass blocking, running between the tackles,” he said. “I really wanted to become a complete running back this year, and I think I have.”

Bush rushed for 537 yards as a freshman and 908 as a sophomore. He gained 1,658 yards on 187 carries in 12 games this season, and his 8.9-yard average per carry is tops in the country. His 138.2-yard average per game ranks fourth.

He also led the country in all-purpose yardage with 2,611 yards for a 217.58-yard average per game, and his 18 touchdowns tied for seventh.

“He’s got my vote,” Leinart said of Bush, whose 554 yards rushing in the last two games are the most ever by a USC player in back-to-back games.

As a past Heisman winner, Leinart is one of the voters.

“What more can he do than what he’s done in the last two (games)?” Carroll said of Bush.

Leinart became the sixth USC player to win the Heisman, joining tailbacks Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), Marcus Allen (1981), and quarterback Carson Palmer (2002).

Allen and Bush both attended Helix High School in Spring Valley.

“He’s probably the fastest guy who’s ever played at a running back position,” said Garrett, now the USC athletic director. “Gale Sayers was very fast. O.J. was very fast. This kid (LaDainian) Tomlinson in San Diego is very fast. I think Reggie’s faster than all of them.

“I believe that he’ll get even better in the pros. Fundamentally, he’ll get better. He’s very special. Every time he touches the ball, you know he can go all the way. I think he’s a fine back, and just as important, he’s a good individual.”

LaMar Griffin, Bush’s stepfather, said in a televised interview during the UCLA-USC game that he believed Bush would pass up his final year of eligibility to play in the NFL next season.

Bush insists he hasn’t made a decision.

“I really hope he does the right thing for himself,” Garrett said. “Last year, I think it was the right thing for Matt.”

Leinart passed up an opportunity to become an instant millionaire last January when he decided to return to USC for his senior year.