TUSCALOOSA— Alabama’s defense has been consistent all year, which heaps much praise upon senior inside linebacker Reuben Foster. The Auburn, Ala., native was selected as one of five candidates to be a finalist for the 2016 Butkus Award on Monday, according to the Dick Butkus Foundation.
Foster leads the team in total tackles (75), and has nine tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups and four quarterback hurries. He’s the signal caller on a defense that’s limited opponents to 11.4 points, 68.9 rush yards and 252.6 total yards per game; all of which stand among the leaders in college football.
Foster joins the likes of Kendall Beckwith (LSU), Zach Cunningham (Vanderbilt), Jarrad Davis (Florida) and Josey Jewell (Iowa) as a Butkus Award finalist—presented to college football’s top linebacker.
The award recognizes linebackers at three levels of competition while helping spread the word about Butkus’ ‘I Play Clean’ initiative which encourages teens to eat well, train hard, and play with attitude instead of resorting to steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.
Alabama’s had three former players to win the award: C.J. Mosley (2013), Rolando McClain (2009) and Derrick Thomas (1989), while Reggie Ragland finished as a finalist in 2015.
This year’s winner will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
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 @Smsmith_TDALMag.
