Reuben Foster says this Alabama DB could play in his era

Photo comes via Kent Gidley of Alabama athletics

He played with a host of creatures on defense at the University of Alabama, though he was arguably the most feared player.

Reuben Foster says this Birmingham native resembles him at ILB

Reuben Foster, a former All-American linebacker, played with some dogs. 

He won three Southeastern Conference Championships (2014-16) and a College Football Playoff National Championship (2015) with a few alpha personalities, but he sees someone on this year’s Crimson Tide team that could play in his era. Foster shared this insight via The Millers’ Edge with Christian and Corey Miller on Wednesday on Tide 100.9 FM. Christian Miller and Foster were teammates at Alabama in 2015 and 2016, winning two SEC Championships together.

Foster believes Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., a legacy defensive back for Alabama, could thump in his era.

Kirkpatrick, son of former Alabama DB Dre Kirkpatrick, came to the Tide as a three-star prospect in the 2024 signing class from Gadsden (Ala.) City High School. He was an electric high school player, but Kirkpatrick has 22 games of experience across two years with the Tide.

Alabama legendary LB said this Tide linebacker ‘will be a problem’

He totaled nine tackles in 2025, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup.

“I like little Kirk, little Dre Kirkpatrick, he’s hard,” Foster said. 

“He is an old school guy, an old school mentality guy. He really puts his nose in there. I don’t want him to be too physical, because I want him to be able to do both. His daddy did both. He was able to put that hammer on you, and then pick you off. He reminds me of that. He’s a little shorter than his dad, but I was short as a linebacker. He is hungry and he has a point to prove.”

Foster called young Kirkpatrick ‘the last of a dying breed.’

“He’s got that swagger,” Foster said. “I call him little OG.”

He learned a lot from his dad, but young Kirkpatrick is prepared to create his name in Alabama football history. He can play ‘Husky’ and safety, while being impactful on special teams.

Kirkpatrick got into some trouble last year; however, he’s learned from it and moved on.

It is going to be fun to watch him succeed in the fall.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.