The Houston Texans have been on the clock for an awful long time – come Saturday, they’ll get to make their selection.

Saturday will be the franchise’s biggest day and one that will determine its fortune for the next 12 or so years.

Technically, they can choose any player they want. They can choose DE Mario Williams. They can choose QB Matt Leinart. They can choose OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson.

But when it comes down to it, they really don’t have a choice. As much as they need to take Reggie Bush, they even more so can’t afford to not take Reggie Bush.

Bush is an once-in-a-lifetime player – talent and potential that has arguably never been seen before. When you have the opportunity to draft a player with his upside, you have to take him. He just might be the most anticipated rookie in NFL history.

Fine, the Texans have other needs. They need an offensive lineman like Ferguson who can finally offer some protection to the often-grounded David Carr. Fine, they need a defensive lineman like Williams, who would make an immediate impact anchoring the “D.” They could even use Leinart, who could be that franchise quarterback that Carr hasn’t proven to be at this point.

You can make the argument that the Texans are already strong at running back, with Domanick Davis carrying the load – in his three years in the pros, he’s rushed for over a 1,000 yards twice. Last year, he rushed for 976 in only 11 games because of knee problems.

I don’t care.

I don’t care if the tailback for the Texans was LaDainian Tomlinson – I’d still take Reggie.

There is no limit to what he can do. But instead of me ranting about how good he is, I’ll let more qualified people do it. The following quotes were found on USC’s athletic Web site.

Former coach Pete Carroll: “I told him, ‘You’re the most valuable guy on the field for what you’re creating by your presence.’ … The overriding element of his game is he’s just got such fantastic hands. You can look at the speed and all the rest, but few guys catch the ball so well.”

Arizona State coach Dick Koetter: “I think Reggie Bush is one of those players who comes around every so often. I think he’s off the charts. He could probably start at five different positions. I remember when we were trying to recruit him out of high school. I’ve never seen a guy like him. Every time he touched the ball he scored.” Former USC quarterback Leinart: “Every time Reggie Bush touches the ball, anything can happen … Reggie Bush is an awesome weapon … When Reggie Bush first came to USC, Reggie Bush was running all over our first defense in fall camp, cutting back, reversing Reggie Bush’s field.”

USC athletic director Mike Garrett: “Reggie Bush is going to be one of the best ever. Reggie Bush looks like another Gale Sayers.”

ESPN.com’s Gene Wojciechowski: “Reggie Bush is a human highlight tape.”

ESPN.com’s Ted Miller: “Bush is Shakespeare. He’s gifted with speedy brilliance and flourish. Bush is 200 pounds of sound and fury signifying touchdown. He doth rise from the ground like feathered Mercury striding the heavens … He resembles the elusive Gale Sayers or the versatile Marshall Faulk.”

Former USC teammate Mike Williams: “Reggie’s the ultimate weapon.” Wow. If those comments don’t leave you in awe, I don’t know what will.

There is no way a team could possibly not take a guy who’s described by his peers, coaches and sportswriters as such an offensive weapon – it would be a mistake.

Even if the Texans’ offensive line will still stink, it doesn’t matter. Take Bush, have another terrible year, and then draft a premier offensive lineman next year. There will be another great offensive lineman to take like Ferguson, but there might never be another player like Reggie Bush.

I once heard an ESPN analyst make a Bush comparison that I think is perfect. I wish I could say I came up with it myself, but I can’t.

He said passing on Reggie Bush is like passing on Michael Jordan.

The Texans don’t want to be that team.

Jon Gluskin is a senior in Communications. He can be reached at [email protected].