NFL Draft prospects to watch in National Championship Game

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Reuben Foster

LB, Alabama

In a draft class that is littered with incredible defensive talent, Alabama’s Reuben Foster is the best linebacker of the group. There is nothing he cannot do on a football field, and he has the physical gifts to be an impact player from day one at the next level. The Crimson Tide defense has become one for the ages, and Foster is the unquestioned leader of the group.

Not only is Foster a beast when it comes up stopping the run, but he also has incredible pass coverage skills. At the NFL level, Foster is going to be an incredibly versatile player, as he has the skill set to be a plug-and-play type of player in any scheme. He has the speed to play sideline to sideline, and has as quick a first step as any player in this draft.

Foster is an intimidating hitter, who is always looking to punish the opposition. Possessing one of the better football I.Q.s in this draft, Foster knows how to play the angles, and can diagnose an offense with the best of them. He can cover in man schemes as well as he can in zone, and is one of the more effective pass rushers in the draft class.

There is no question that he is a first-round talent, and some scouts feel he could be selected in the first five picks. Any team looking to bolster their linebacking corps should look for Foster, who is as good a leader as he is a player. Alabama would not have the defense they do without Foster, whose impact on the game goes far beyond the stat sheet. Look for Foster to be selected very early in next April’s draft.