The collision heard around the world last season took place in Alabama’s game against Louisiana State University. Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster blew up Tigers’ running back Leonard Fournette on a kick return during the final seconds of regulation. It was the biggest play of Foster’s career at one point, yet he was only a big name on special teams.
A product of Auburn (Ala.) High School, Foster possess size and physicality but minor injuries and lack of instincts limited his field time in the past two years. Alabama’s 2014 season opener against West Virginia was the last time Foster started a game, prior to Saturday.
Foster, 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, put on some weight in the offseason (health reasons) and got better acquainted with Alabama’s play calling on defense. He earned a starting spot at linebacker, opposite Reggie Ragland and put in a solid performance against the Volunteers.
Foster finished second on the team in tackles (11), with two coming for loss. The junior totaled a pass breakup and accounted for one of the Crimson Tide’s five sacks of Joshua Dobbs.
Alabama escaped Tennessee with a 19-14 win, ending the month of October with one loss. Foster and the Crimson Tide will be off next week. It prepares for an SEC West showdown with LSU on Nov. 7 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
