Reuben Foster gives verbal to Alabama...again

For the second time since July of 2011, five-star linebacker Reuben Foster has given his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama for 2013. This time, the verbal pledge comes less than 36 hours before National Signing Day.

Regarded as one of the most decorated prospects in the nation, Foster has been pushed to the forefront during the course of the last calendar year and not so much for his play on the field…but for his drama off the field.

Whether legitimate, or simply an effort to “play the recruiting game,” Foster has been up, down, and all around, with his recruitment which has caused the fans of several major programs to grow weary of what they perceive to be foolish antics. Due to those “antics”…Foster has been vilified in certain circles.

Here is a quick look at Foster’s recruiting journey…

-Foster gives his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama in July of 2011. During this time, Foster is a student at Troupe County High School in LaGrange, Georgia.

-Prior to the start of the 2012 academic year, Foster moves to Auburn, Alabama and enrolls at Auburn High School.

-In July of 2012, one year to the month of his pledge to Alabama, Foster holds a press conference to break his verbal commitment with Alabama, and “flips” to Auburn University.

-In December of 2012, Foster decommits from Auburn University and decides to re-open his recruitment.

-Feb. 2, 2013 – Foster takes an official visit to Auburn University.

-*Feb 2, 2013 – Foster leaves during the official visit to Auburn, and is later confirmed to be at the University of Alabama.

-Feb. 4, 2013 – Foster, via television, gives his verbal commitment, for the second time, to the University of Alabama.

*Possible altercation with a current Auburn player? Nothing was, nor has been, substantiated to prove such an incident took place, but this was the “reason” given by many, across the board, for his early departure in respect to his Auburn visit.

Given the timeline above, what is missing is the fact that Reuben Foster is a fabulous football player. Twists and turns aside, Foster is considered the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama, and the No. 1 linebacker in the nation per Rivals.com.

Although his journey has been a textbook example of the modern day recruiting circus, when all is said and done, where he signs won’t matter, but how he plays and conducts himself will.

With his newest and latest pledge, Reuben Foster becomes the 23rd verbal commitment to the University of Alabama in respect to the 2013 signing class.