Alabama Football: Predicting A New Alabama NFL Draft Record

Reuben Foster

Alabama football is known for great linebackers and Reuben Foster will be remembered by Tide fans as one of its greats.

Foster was a two-year starter at inside linebacker for Alabama. In 2016, the signal-caller on the Crimson Tide defensive unit won the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker. Foster was also a unanimous first-team All-American.

Foster was the stereotypical Alabama Alpha – a leader with a headhunter reputation that inspired teammates and fans. To the younger generation of Alabama football fans, Foster was beyond a football player. Some described him a “hitman who likes to wear shoulder pads” and a “warhead that detonates on ball carriers.”

Whatever style of description chosen, all agree Foster is an explosive player who plays with a fierce intent to dominate opponents.

Mike Mayock rates Foster as the No. 1 inside linebacker in the draft.

There have been a few bumps in the road to Foster’s draft night. Reuben lost his cool with a medical worker at the NFL combine. His NFL drug test was classified as “dilute” – a description designating he did not pass the test. There are some concerns his surgically repaired shoulder could cause future problems.

After Thursday night, those concerns will no longer matter. Reuben will be selected in the first round to a team he will immediately make better.