Did Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster get away with targeting on this hit to Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson’s head?
With the entire college football world watching, Alabama Crimson Tide inside linebacker Reuben Foster absolutely levels Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson on this hit. The only problem might be that Foster could have gotten away with targeting.
It was a bang-bang play, but Foster did seem to hit the Clemson signal caller in the head while he was defenseless after this pass attempt.
This comes the game after Foster had criticized the No. 4 Washington Huskies for taking cheap shots in the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl in the national semifinals. Foster had to recognize that all eyes were going to be on him in this game for so many reasons. A possible hit to the head on Watson is not a good look.
Foster will be a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He is one of two certain first-round picks at inside linebacker. The other can’t-miss middle linebacker prospect in this upcoming draft is Vanderbilt Commodores redshirt junior Zach Cunningham.
Watson projects to be one of three first-round quarterbacks in the 2017 NFL Draft along with North Carolina Tar Heels redshirt junior Mitch Trubisky and Notre Dame Fighting Irish redshirt sophomore DeShone Kizer.
Going into the national championship, one of the head-to-head matchups of note was Foster having to quarterback spy Watson for the Alabama defense. This cheap shot by Foster was missed by the referees.
It’s becoming a trend in this game, as Alabama defensive back Tony Brown hit Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams in the head on another play. Keep in mind that Williams did break his neck in Clemson’s 2015 season opener.
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Alabama does play an aggressive brand of defense, all out all the time. The Crimson Tide are difficult to officiate on that side of the football, but the referees might need to pay closer attention for the sake of player safety.