It’s good to locate your role models early in your football career.
Before he became a Butkus Award winner, a national champion, an All-American and a first-round pick, Reuben Foster was simply trying to find his niche at the University of Alabama.
The inside linebacker position at the Capstone is one where you must earn the baton from the individual ahead of you. Learning under Reggie Ragland, Foster gained insight on being instinctive – to pair with his thirst for mind-shattering hits and causing fear for opposition. After leading the Crimson Tide with 115 tackles a season ago, it looks as if a few players have an idea as to whom should inherit the mantle from the team’s alpha dog.
Per sources, sophomore Mack Wilson is the next Reuben Foster.
“He’s an all-around great athlete,” sources said. “He’s a natural headhunter like Reuben, but also has strong hands as a pass catcher. Wilson is the backup punter and long snapper on special teams.”
He may not want to remember, but Texas A&M wide receiver Speedy Noil still captures the tackling prowess of Wilson. He was on the opposite end during one of two jaw-dropping hits inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, when Wilson nailed him to the ground before he crossed the 20-yard line.
The Montgomery, Ala., native earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors from the coaching staff after his efforts and for the season, he turned in eight tackles – including six on kickoffs and a quarterback hurry.
In reflecting on his skills as an athlete, Wilson played some on offense last season.
He cleared the way at H-back for Bo Scarbrough’s two-yard touchdown run versus Western Kentucky and brought in a touchdown reception against Kent State at home. Before coming to Alabama, Wilson was a five-star prospect and one of the nation’s elite linebacker targets. He registered 201 tackles, 14 sacks, nine forced fumbles and three interceptions in his tenure at Carver High School. He filled in admirably for fellow Carver alumnus Shaun Dion Hamilton (knee) in the 2016 Southeastern Conference Championship Game against Florida; however, the 231-pound boomstick ‘backer’ really valued Foster’s leadership.
“He looked up to Reuben like crazy,” sources said. “In the same way Reuben loved Reggie Ragland, Mack loves Foster. He respects Hamilton, but Wilson models his game after Reuben.”
With Foster now in the National Football League, a battle between Hamilton and Rashaan Evans will determine who lines up at inside linebacker in the fall. Despite the talent and experience both guys have, sources say Wilson can very well have the chance to start right now. He amassed five total tackles in the Tide’s A-Day game for Crimson, including a huge hit on true freshman running back Najee Harris.
Alabama LB @iam__mw3o Vs Alabama RB Najee Harris #ADay2017 pic.twitter.com/0yq1T6eRqX
— BamaVideo (@BamaVideo_) April 24, 2017
If any more indication is needed behind Wilson’s desire to be Foster, check out social media. While Foster’s Instagram name is “Ferrari Foster,” Wilson goes by “Maserati Mack” on Twitter. Nothing is given under Nick Saban, and of course Wilson knows this. As he accepts the downfield thumping mantle from Foster, look for Wilson to emerge more next season.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
