Report: Foster off one top 15 teams’ board
21 March 2017 DRAFT Eagles News
According to The MMQB Alabama LB Reuben Foster is already off one teams’ board picking in the top 15 of the NFL Draft.
The Alabama prospect recently had an altercation with a hospital workers during the medicals and was sent home from early the combine. Foster was named the Butkus award winner this season, which is given to the best linebacker in the country. Unfortunately for the Alabama prospect, he chose the wrong time to have off-field issues cloud NFL teams’ judgement.
“He already had immaturity, issues with life skills. This is the same guy,” said an evaluator for the team after Foster was sent home from Indianapolis. “We’re not in the market.”
After the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year Reggie Ragland left Alabama(Buffalo Bills 2nd round), it was Foster who stepped in to fill Ragland’s shoes. The heart and soul of Alabama’s defense has been nothing but spectacular for the Crimson Tide, racking up 115 tackles, with 13 tackles for loss and five sacks in 2016.
For what it’s worth, Alabama HC Nick Saban offered his take on Foster’s isolated event:
“Anybody that thinks what happened in Indy should affect this guy’s future in the draft is being very short-sighted. He’s played here four years, we’ve never had an issue with him. He’s always been a great leader and signal-caller on defense. He’s bright and has always been a great team guy and really well-liked by his teammates. If you’re looking for a good teammate to be on your team, Reuben is going to be very, very good. If you’re looking for somebody to be a candy-striper and be nice to everybody at the hospital, maybe not.”
Most likely, teams that are interested in the Crimson Tide prospect have done their homework. If your asking me, Foster is one of the most explosive defenders in the 2017 draft and passing on a game changing, immediate plug-and-play starter, would be a huge mistake.
Gayle Saunders Alabama Crimson Tide, NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles, Reuben Foster