Alabama Offers a Scholarship to a Linebacker with a Big Kick

Nick Saban has offered a scholarship to a Texas High School linebacker at Southlake-Carroll High School.  With 58 tackles last season (53 solo, five assist) and just six sacks, his numbers, size—at 6'1" and 215—and speed aren't indicative of such an early offer from such a prestigious program.

So what does Nick know that we may not?

Cade Foster moonlights on the side as a kicker. The same big legs that help him plant running backs into the ground also allow him to plant kickoffs out of the back of the end zone. In fact, a whopping 62 percent of his kickoffs are not returned, and kickoff coverage has been spotty for the Tide the last few years.

Should one be returned, Foster may be the man who punishes him for doing so.

The leg has more than just a big boom; it also has accuracy. Last season he was perfect from inside the 40 with just two misses outside that range. 

How does he feel about being offered by a school so far away from his beloved Texas? "I think the SEC is the best conference in the country, and Alabama would be a perfect fit for me." said Foster. "Greg McElroy was our starting QB when I was in the eighth grade, and he may be the starter at Alabama for the next two years. I know he loves it there, and I would be excited to be a part of that team and tradition."

Though Alabama was the first to offer, many other schools have him penciled in on their lists of recruits as well. Nick is hoping the early offer and Cade's enthusiasm with Alabama may cause some to give up early trying to steal him away. 

Comments like, "My parents were thrilled with the news. We don't have any connections to Alabama really, but my father and I watch them on television plenty. The tradition and coaching staff can't be beat," and, "I had not heard much from Alabama until recently. LSU and Oklahoma seem like they are real close to offering, and I thought they would be first, but Alabama being the first school is just terrific," may dampen other coaches' spirits just a bit.

One thing is for sure: With Alabama's anemic kickoff stats, Foster will have a chance to show off early and often for the folks back home.

For Alabama fans, another "good old boy" from Texas may be just what they need.