Alabama Football Recruiting: Tide Must Impress Top Commit Reuben Foster on Visit

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have already earned the verbal commitment of No. 2 overall recruit Reuben Foster, but they're going to have to work to keep it.

The 6'2", 228-pound linebacker with running back speed and outstanding instincts is visiting Tuscaloosa this weekend, reports Scout.com's Chad Simmons. The Tide need to make the most of it.

With over 10 months still remaining in the recruiting process, Foster's commitment doesn't mean too much. According to Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he's still taking visits elsewhere despite reiterating his commitment to the Tide.

Says Foster: "I’m still looking at Georgia but I’m still committed to Alabama … nothing has changed there. I’m just checking out some other places."

Foster is a Georgia native and still has another season of high school football in front of him. There is no telling what type of work the in-state Bulldogs could pull off and there is still the chance that another SEC school makes an impression on him as well.

Although the stud recruit is someone the Tide desperately want to sign next February, they're not going to panic should he keep his eyes open throughout the next few months.

The Alabama name and success speaks for itself and they play second fiddle to nobody.

This weekend will be an important step for both player and program.

Foster is one of eight recruits to already commit to Nick Saban, and they have six other offers out to inside linebackers (two of which are currently committed elsewhere).

None compare to Foster, though, and the Tide to remind him of that when they're with him because Georgia, as Foster put it, are still showing him "mad love and respect."

But Foster will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend and the Tide simply can't ask for more than that. Now it is on them to make sure he sticks around.

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