COLLEGE CAREER – Bussey joins Martez Wilson as the second Illini linebacker selected by the Saints in the 2011 NFL Draft. He moved into the starting lineup midway through his junior year and excelled as a senior, when he finished with 83 tackles and tied for the Big Ten Conference lead with three fumble recoveries. He posted 156 stops (96 solo), 1.5 sacks, one interception, five pass defenses, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked punt in four years, starting the final 18 games of his career.
2010– All-Big Ten honorable mention (coaches and media)...Co-winner of team's Outstanding Special Teams award…Started all 13 games at Sam linebacker...Second on team with 83 tackles (48 solo) and third with 8.5 tackles for losses...Tied for the Big Ten lead with three fumble recoveries and added one interception, two pass defenses and one blocked punt.
2009 – Played in all 12 games and started final five...Totaled 43 tackles (30 solo), including a half sack and an assisted stop for a loss.
2008– Played in all 12 games and started the season opener at safety...Recorded 21 tackles (12 solo) and two pass defenses.
2007 – Played in all 13 games primarily on special teams...Recorded nine tackles (five solo).
PERSONAL – Played QB and S at Dunbar HS (Washington, D.C.) as well as returning kicks...First-team All-Met by The Washington Post in 2006 and honorable mention in 2005...Totaled over 8,000 passing yards for his career and 102.7 QB rating...Defensively, recorded six interceptions, two returned for TDs...Threw for 2,473 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2006 as well as rushing for a team-high 553 yards and 12 TDs and recorded four interceptions as a senior...Passed for 2,543 yards and 37 TDs, also running for over 700 yards as a junior...High school teammate of former Illini teammates and current NFL players Arrelious Benn (WR, Tampa Bay) and Vontae Davis (CB, Miami)…Nathan Lee Bussey...Born Feb. 20, 1989...Majored in communications.