Five Star Recruit Reuben Foster Commits to Alabama
By Kyle Kensing
The dramatic saga of five star recruit Reuben Foster took its latest turn on Monday night, when the Auburn, Ala. linebacker announced his commitment to Alabama on FOX Sports South’s “New College Football Show.”
Foster’s recruitment was a roller coaster for months. The local product was verbally committed to Auburn, going so far as to get the AU logo tattooed. But after decommitting, Foster flirted with SEC rivals Alabama and Georgia, and some surprising West Coast suitors in Washington and San Diego State.
Foster addressed his situation with Auburn on the show, discussing the impact Trooper Taylor’s departure from the Plains as part of Gene Chizik’s dismissed staff had on Foster’s decision. With a little less than two days to go until National Signing Day, Foster could still theoretically change his commitment.
The unusual circumstances swirling around Foster generated extra vitriol on social media. He told the FOX Sports South crew that overzealous fans had frequently sounded off on his Twitter timeline, which he said “hurt.”
The explosion in popularity of college football recruiting exposes an ugliness in fans who so desperately want to see their teams land the most highly coveted prep talents. Lost in the attacks are that these are teenagers, even if they play football at an elite level.
And Foster certainly does play at an elite level. The five star inside linebacker should fit well in Nick Saban and Kirby Smart’s ballyhooed 3-4 defense. His blitzing ability translated into 22 tackles for loss this past season at Auburn High.