While the “Tush Push” is best known for its use by the Philadelphia Eagles — who consistently push strong-legged quarterback Jalen Hurts from behind on plays from one yard out — it has found its way into the college ranks as well.
The play is so strong that NFL owners are considering banning the play at their spring meeting in Minneapolis this week, but it has also trickled into Big Ten play.
College Football Teams Are Quietly Embracing the NFL’s Tush Push Trend
While not as widespread or effective in college as in the pros — the play is heavily reliant on the squatting ability of Jalen Hurts and the elite ability of the Eagles offensive line to push opponents around — several teams have adopted it into their game plans.
It’s decision week on the proposed tush push ban, with NFL owners set to gather Tuesday in Minneapolis for a two-day meeting…. https://t.co/p77kT7ha5o
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) May 19, 2025
In 2023, head coach Jim Harbaugh and the national champion Michigan Wolverines used the “Tush Push,” particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Notre Dame also experimented with the play in 2023, using tight ends and running backs as pushers behind quarterback Sam Hartman.
At USC, head coach Lincoln Riley employed a version of the play with Caleb Williams and Penn State’s James Franklin attempted it with Drew Allar, utilizing both quarterbacks’ powerful frames.
In the SEC, Alabama and Georgia have tried similar play in short-yardage situations, often opting for traditional power runs due to their dominant offensive lines.
But while those college football powers utilize the ‘Tush Push,” the play is much less common at the college level than in the NFL. While both allow teams to push the ball carrier, offensive lines in the college ranks are often less well-coordinated and much less dominant than those at the pro level.
College quarterbacks are often much more mobile than in the NFL, allowing teams more flexibility with zone reads and RPOs — the lack of under center snaps and injury risk at the college level also hinders the ability to run the play
And while the play is much less successful at the college, Philadelphia’s success could lead it to be banned in the NFL, but it will take a three-quarter (24 out of 32 teams) consensus to get there.
“We’ll see if there is a three-quarter consensus on any proposal, specifically the push-play proposal that Green Bay put forward or any other amending it,” Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president of communications, public affairs and policy, said during a video news conference last week.
KEEP READING: ‘INSANE’ – College Football Fans React To Epic Fake Tush Push, Blind Handoff Touchdown in Rate Bowl
“I can’t sit here and tell you that I have a prediction on how it’s going to come out. But there was a lot that was discussed when we were together in March around whether that is a football play, whether it is appropriate if one or two teams effectuate a play extremely well to take that away from them, and then to look back at the history of the game over the last number of decades to see why that play”
“Aiding the runner, assisting the runner, pushing or pulling — was taken out from an officiating perspective. So all of those elements were discussed in March. And that conversation has continued.”
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
