Alabama vs Clemson: 5 players to watch in National Championship Game
By John Buhler
Reuben Foster
Inside Linebacker, Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama has two senior leaders on its dominating defense. The first of the two we’re going to tackle (pun intended) will be star inside linebacker Reuben Foster. Foster decided to come back to Tuscaloosa in his senior season to elevate his draft stock as a defensive leader. It’s been a good decision for him.
The Crimson Tide lost star inside linebacker Reggie Ragland to the 2016 NFL Draft. Foster stepped up big time in 2016 and the Alabama defense hasn’t skipped a beat. He projects as a better pro prospect at inside linebacker than Ragland, who had a forgettable, injury-riddled rookie season with the Buffalo Bills.
Foster is a first-round talent and is likely one of two inside linebackers that will go in the top 32 of the 2017 NFL Draft. The only problem is that many scouts may actually prefer Vanderbilt Commodores inside linebacker Zach Cunningham over Foster. That’s not a bad thing, as Cunningham tore up the SEC in 2016 for a bowl-bound Vanderbilt team. Cunningham could be the next Luke Kuechly, in all honesty.
Foster could be an Alec Ogletree type of force in the middle of an NFL defense for years to come. He may not eclipse Cunningham on NFL draft boards, but Foster could challenge him with a great performance in the national championship. He will have to spy Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Like with teammate Robinson, this is a game where Foster could seriously improve his first-round draft stock, but likely won’t be punished for a bad performance in all honesty.