Recruiting can be more interesting following a player after National Signing Day than obsessing over travel plans and hat purchases beforehand. A player’s “road to glory” can have many paths, some not so glorious. From being an impact freshman to transferring to greener pastures, every player’s story is a bit different. At Alabama, success is not just a goal, it’s a requirement. This requirement makes Reuben Foster’s story that more interesting. Entering his junior year, Foster’s road is about to split. Just a special teams stud or developing into a wrecking ball in the middle, the difference could mean another crystal ball in Alabama’s future.
Considered a “Bama lock” for the longest time during his recruitment, Foster’s road to Tuscaloosa became pretty furious when going through the recruiting trail. A decommitment from Alabama, a high school transfer, commitment to in-state rival Auburn, an Auburn tattoo, a decommitment from Auburn, a few more visits, and finally a signature to Alabama. Being the #1 Inside Linebacker in the country, this wasn’t just your average recruit, Foster could make or break a recruiting class. The signature to Alabama ensured a nasty front 7 in the future. Now in 2015, the future has arrived, along with those high expectations.
Nov 29, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) celebrates his fumble recovery with Reuben Foster (10) in the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Being notorious for his aggressive style of play, Foster’s tackling form ended up getting the best of him when suffering a couple injuries during his early days in Tuscaloosa. Last season, Foster made a home for himself on the special teams unit by landing bone shattering hits throughout the season. Bryant-Denny Stadium may as well make a banner that says “Welcome to the Thunderdome” and fly it around during kickoff. Yes, I know Alabama doesn’t play in a dome but come on look at the title and work with me here.
Here we are with Foster, at a crossroads. If Foster can remain healthy this season, he’s slated to start beside Reggie Ragland at middle linebacker. Going off potential, this duo could go down as the best inside linebacker combo in the Saban era. Pairing Foster’s aggressive, flying death machine, style of play with Ragland’s balanced style of play will be interesting to watch. Alabama’s pass rush over the past couple of years has been lacking, the defensive unit could get a lot of pressure up the middle when Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart releases Mad Ma…I mean Reuben Foster on opposing quarterbacks. If the crazy man himself can layout the opponent’s top athletes, then I wonder what he can do to quarterbacks who just sit in the pocket? Surely the outcome is better than a quarterback rolling out of the pocket and delivering a 40-yard strike, which is otherwise known as the Iron Bowl and SEC Championship Game. One hit would be more exciting than that snoozer play, whoops, I mean fight we saw between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Looking around the rest of the unit, the defensive line is arguably the best in the country. Every player on the line that recorded a tackle last season is returning, except for one. Basically, this line is deeper than the line at Houndstooth on game day. The defensive backs returning get an experience bump, which doesn’t seem like much but let me know the last young corner to come in Saban’s system and find immediate success. By having a dominating duo inside, this takes less pressure off the edge rushers. Foster’s game will allow Smart to open up the playbook a bit more, having an effective inside attacker can really go a long way instead of an over-reliance on the pass rush from the outside.
If Alabama’s defense hopes to return to form, it will be the front 7 of the defense that will have to set the tone every Saturday and what better player to get the minds right of the defense than Reuben Foster? The road to glory can be game winning scores and flashy plays. For others, this crazed road, this fury road, can be the best path that’s not often traveled.