Reggie Bush says rugby star Jarryd Hayne can make it in NFL

Lions running back Reggie Bush says he believes that rugby star Jarryd Hayne can play in the National Football League.

Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush says he believes that rugby star Jarryd Hayne can play in the National Football League.

The 26-year-old Hayne, who is 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, announced last week that is leaving the Parramatta Eels of Australia's National Rugby League and moving to the United States in order to pursue an NFL career. Last season, he was named co-Dally M Player of the Year.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NFL, and at my age, this is my one and only chance at having a crack at playing there," Hayne said.

Bush, who is with the Lions in London in preparation for their matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, says Hayne has the tools to make a roster.

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"I just think he's a good athlete," Bush said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "I've seen some of his film, I watched him and he has all the skill sets that it takes to play in the NFL. He's a great athlete and I told him I definitely think he has a future in the NFL if he's serious about it."

Hayne met with the Seattle Seahawks last month.

"There is a lot of just general carryover because it's running, making people miss, tackling, hitting, and being tough and physical and all that stuff," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said. “Those things are pretty common. But we have seen guys over the years that have made transitions from other sports, basketball players doing it. So it can happen.”

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