Alabama’s All-American linebacker Reuben Foster is the 31st overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft.
ICYMI: 50 Shades of Foster and Other Reuben-isms
The Alabama Crimson Tide’s Reuben Foster is now a San Francisco 49er. Foster, a 6’1″, 235 pound linebacker, is the overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Foster goes to the 49ers following an interesting post-season route. Many believed the explosive linebacker would be taken as high as 5th overall in the NFL Draft, but his stock plummeted in recent weeks due to off-field behavior.
Alabama Crimson Tide Football
According to AL.com, Foster got into a heated argument with a hospital worker at the NFL Combine earlier this year. Foster, frustrated with being asked the same questions but not receiving answers, did not hold back telling the worker of his unhappiness.
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, known for his own hot-headed temper, said this of the incident: “I think if anyone here asks someone eight or 10 times ‘Am I in the right place? Is my name on the list? Why have I had to stay here for so long?’ and nobody will respond to you, I think it would probably create a little anxiety for all of us. I know that Reuben wishes he would have responded maybe in a more positive way, but I think other people could have responded and been a little more respectful to him as well.”
After the altercation at the Combine resulted in his being sent home, Foster reportedly wasn’t invited to attend the draft ceremony itself.
That didn’t stop the 49ers from snapping up this dynamite linebacker with their second pick in the first round.
Landing in the 31st spot proved to be lucky for 49’ers to nab Foster. According to several CBS NFL Draft analysts, Foster possesses “remarkable closing speed and the physicality to intimidate”. Both these qualities make him a stellar pick for the 49ers, who lack a hard-hitting linebacker.
Reuben Foster was a defensive beast on the field for the Crimson Tide in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. As a senior in 2016, Foster finished with 115 tackles, 13 for losses, and five sacks. Foster, a consensus All-American, earned the 2016 Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker.
Next: Alabama Football: Best Linebacker Group EVER?
Congratulations to Reuben on his 31st overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft!