Reuben Foster: Alabama LB recruit to transfer after coach’s firing
Reuben Foster, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 2 overall football prospect, told the AJC that he’s transferring to another high school for his senior season.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior linebacker is committed to Alabama but still flirting with UGA and plans to attend Junior Day with the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Foster, along with several of his high school teammates, is upset over the controversial firing of Troup High School coach Charles Flowers.
“I’m definitely gone, I’m leaving, I’m out of here,” Foster told the AJC on Wednesday night. “Coach Flowers has changed my life. He’s like a father figure. It’s just not right with what happened.”
Big news for UGA: Reuben Foster, who is committed to Alabama, plans to visit UGA for Junior Day (AJC)
Flowers was fired from Troup on Tuesday apparently over the improper transfer of at least one football player into the school district, according to the AJC’s Todd Holcomb. However, the Georgia High School Association said it’s not investigating Troup for any alleged wrongdoing.
“Everybody is still mad about it, the whole school is still mad,” said Troup offensive lineman Joe Sanders, another college prospect who has early offers from Tennessee and South Florida. Sanders also hasn’t ruled out transferring from Troup. “I don’t know what we’re going to do. But we’re ‘one’ as a team, as we’re going to do it together.”
Foster and Sanders said at least 8-10 Troup teammates are considering transferring to another school before next season. The biggest loss would be Foster, who is considered the best football player out of the area since Tray Blackmon.
Troup has already named a coaching replacement, according to the players. They were told Troup linebackers coach Lynn Kendall will be promoted to the top spot. Foster confirmed he talked briefly with Kendall on Tuesday.
When Foster was asked what it would take for him to return to Troup for his senior season, he said, “We all want Coach Flowers back. That’s it. We want Coach Flowers back here.”
Fast forward to recruiting: Why is Foster visiting UGA this weekend? “They show me a lot of mad respect and love. I like the coaches, and they always show me a lot of attention. 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, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect by 247sports.com, said he will also make an unofficial visit to Auburn in the near future.
RELATED: Newnan safety Tray Matthews, who is committed to UGA, gave a jolt to some Bulldog fans on Wednesday night when he said on Twitter “My dad wants to go check out Alabama.” Matthews narrowly committed to UGA over Alabama last summer
MORE: After trying to commit to UGA, one of Georgia’s top running backs pledged to UCLA
OTHER TOP STORIES OF THE DAY
- Mega-prospect Reuben Foster will TRANSER after coach’s firing … the Alabama LB commit will visit UGA this weekend
- After trying to commit to UGA, RB Keyante Greene pledges to UCLA
- Georgia’s No. 1 RB commits to Alabama over UGA and Clemson
IT’S RAINING RECRUITING STORIES
- Georgia football star commits to Auburn
- Lane Kiffin gets a good laugh about Tennessee’s blame game
- Mark Richt vs. Paul Johnson on controversial “commitment” issue
- Avery Young’s coach: NOT part of “package deal” with 5-star OL
- Nick Saban mails 105 letters in ONE DAY to Atlanta RB
- 4-star QB turns down offers from UGA and Alabama to commit to … Vanderbilt
- It’s shaping up as UGA vs. Florida Gators for OL transfer
- Will UGA and Georgia Tech sign a few more football recruits for 2012?
- Controversy? Mark Richt has never been a part of this one
- Derek Dooley rips anything & everything to do with SEC’s new over-signing rules
- UCLA’s Jim Mora: Recruits remember I was coach when Atlanta Falcons last won a playoff game
- Robert Nkemdiche: UGA may be close to cracking Top 5 for nation’s No. 1 overall prospect
INSTANT AJC RECRUITING CLASSICS
- “The story that won’t go away” … Alabama’s grayshirt scandal
- CONTROVERSY: Vanderbilt coach on “Men of Honor” comment with UGA recruit
- Justin Taylor and his coach blast Alabama
- Mark Richt goes to jail for recruiting
- Nick Saban to Atlanta RB: Sorry but you can’t sign with Alabama until 2013
- Will Muschamp and Mark Richt are church visitors of 5-star recruit
- Meet the Bulldogs (UGA’s 2012 class)
- Meet the Yellow Jackets (Georgia Tech’s 2012 class)
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
Got an item? mcarvell@ajc.com
- So much is happening so fast. Have you missed anything over the last few days? Catch up with our feed by CLICKING HERE
- BOOKMARK the NEW AJC Recruiting homepage here
- Want to see a list of the top 125 prospects state of Georgia who signed with D1 schools? It’s looong. Go here.
Note: Inappropriate BLOG comments and personal attacks will NOT be tolerated. We love the lively discussions but hate-filled, harassing and irresponsible comments are unacceptable.
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454 comments Add your comment
bham dawg
February 23rd, 2012
10:54 am
SECIsFootball… just wondering but how old are you? When was the last time you were on campus around these athletes. I ask because it seems that only your opinion is right and everyone else is wrong. I have been around players in ttown and it is not as hunky dorey as you portray it to be.
Brian "Pride of Bama" Downing
February 23rd, 2012
10:55 am
I like your all caps. It really gets your point across. I’m sure UGA fans really care about Alabama Football. That’s why they come on an Atlanta website. I’m sure there are plenty of UGA fans on the Tuscerlooser sites.
Noles
February 23rd, 2012
10:57 am
He may as well come to Moultrie an play for the beat coach in the state. Just don’t go to Grayson. Foster and RN would be unfair
Brainiac
February 23rd, 2012
10:57 am
@ Slydawg:
Wouldn’t you agree that LaGrange is sorta, kinda, actually more West Ga.than South Ga.???
Brian "Pride of Bama" Downing
February 23rd, 2012
10:57 am
Saban is a sucess, Tuscerlooser dentists and mathnasiums not so much.
RTR
Noles
February 23rd, 2012
10:59 am
Best coach in the state
flagboy?
February 23rd, 2012
11:00 am
FL Jacket and 5150 were all over the place with that one. good to see . got them straight.
Bigger story out of the whole thing to me is how corrupt high school football has gotten to be in the state. A coach gets fired for an improper transfer and the GHSA isn’t even investigating. what a joke.
SECIsFootball
February 23rd, 2012
11:01 am
bham dawg…I am 38 and the last time I was on campus around any athletes was probably 1999. However when I was in school I did work in the athletics department and saw how the department was run back then. It was not so good if you ask me. As for my opinion, I have not really given it. I go off what I read in the paper and what I know to be true about a program I pay close attention to. Like I said, if I want to know who was arrested, it is published every day in the news paper. I am sure you have a conspiracy about that and think that Saban has it either fixed where that doesnt get reported or he makes sure that no players are arrested. I guess TPD missed that memo last year with Brent Calloway. As for the players and their accountability, all I can off of is the actions of the coaches and players. Saban preaches accountability and the players have fallen in line with it because not only do they answer to their coaches but also to their teammates. Hightowers comments about going home for breaking cerfew were in the paper before the NC game. Maybe Richt preaches accountability at UGA but no one follows through with it as evidence of the arrest record at UGA over the last 11 years he has been there. You can keep you head in the sand all you want and pretend it isnt a problem in Athens but you know it is. And, just because it is an issue at Georgia doesn’t mean its an issue at every other school but you believe what you want.
bham dawg
February 23rd, 2012
11:02 am
@Blackout… I was actually trying to give saban a compliment. Tyler Love was a shula recruit not a saban recruit first off, but when saban got there he had a talk with tyler love about transferring. Tyler didn’t want to transfer because both of his brothers are there he had family that played there and it was close to home. After their talk tyler let saban know that he wanted to stay in ttown and work his tail off to try to get on the field. Saban honored his scholarship. So as much as it hurts saban did the right thing in this circumstance.
Sam
February 23rd, 2012
11:02 am
CHOAD –
Your envy and jealousy of UGA and their fans is most flattering. How many nicks have you used on this blog since you were exposed the other day as a multi-nick blog troll?
bham dawg
February 23rd, 2012
11:05 am
@SECIsFootball… And, just because it is an issue at Georgia doesn’t mean its an issue at every other school but you believe what you want.
dumbest comment ever on this blog. yes it happens everywhere
Brainiac
February 23rd, 2012
11:07 am
@ Blackout:
Bro is that really you????? I’ve been out of sync for a few days. Some family health problems and a funeral.
Several days ago I couldn’t find you.
Is that 77″ tv still working and using coathangers for rabbit ears???
Tide Pride
February 23rd, 2012
11:07 am
This boy be all tide. He know wear 2 go 4 the best education and wear the best coach be at. He will win rings in Tuscoolaha in steed of winning pre season title at UGa.
SECIsFootball
February 23rd, 2012
11:10 am
Tide Pride….Odell Thurman? Is that you?
IMHO
February 23rd, 2012
11:13 am
So Foster’s family is going to move? Or he just illegally enroll in another school.
Good fit for Bama.
Blackoutanyone?
February 23rd, 2012
11:13 am
bhamdawg… Tyler was a member of the 2008 class. Same class as Julio Jones. He was recruited by and committed to one Nick Saban. 2007 was Saban’s first class at Bama. I think you are confusing Love and Valchos who was a 2007 grey shirt that Saban tried to talk into decommitting.
bham dawg
February 23rd, 2012
11:13 am
@Tide Pride… Huh?
Tide Pride
February 23rd, 2012
11:13 am
You dont not think he be all bama?
PassingThru
February 23rd, 2012
11:19 am
To Bham Dawg
Tyler Love was a 2008 recruit…Saban’s 2nd year at Bama. His brother Wilson Love was a 2010 recruit.
At least try to use some semblance of the truth if you want to try and shine folks on about the inside information you “know”…
Blackoutanyone?
February 23rd, 2012
11:22 am
Brainiac…Sho nuff. Although I’ve found if you screw the coaxle into the metal siding of my single wide the reception is better. U missed like 20 pages of good times on the Bama RB commit from two days ago. Your home boy MC outed me which was funny for posting as Walmart Inc. Lol I stirred up 3 kinds of hell in the lame Kiffin article. Sorry to hear about the famly… Hope you have better days ahead Bro.
bham dawg
February 23rd, 2012
11:23 am
@blackout… you are right i thought valachos and love were in the same class but i forgot love was held back. the only reason i know about these kids is because my little brother was in their class.
bham dawg
February 23rd, 2012
11:25 am
@Tide Pride… I was just trying to figure out what you were saying. I think he is pretty solid to bama and it would take something special to make him flip.
Tide Pride's School Teachers
February 23rd, 2012
11:27 am
Sorry Folks
We don’t not think we taught him well.
bham dawg
February 23rd, 2012
11:29 am
@PassingThru… i don’t know any inside information on bama. never said i did. however i do happen to know about these two guys because we went to the same school. my parents are friends with the loves because they go to the same church. my little brother was in valachos class. not trying to shine folks on nothing brother, but if you need a job you can come shine my shoes.
DDPO
February 23rd, 2012
11:36 am
The Truth:
Saban has won the same number of National Titles in 3 years that UGA has won in their history. Kids want to be a part of a National Title contending team. If he wants to play for Preseason Titles, then he should consider UGA
dewaynedixon
February 23rd, 2012
11:39 am
I admit Bama has it going on right now, but where were you fans before Saban?!?! Anywhere I went no one would wear a Bama hat or fly a Bama flag and now you have all these bandwagon fans hopping on board. I remember the Shula years and whoever else coached after Coach Stallings no one would say roll tide roll then. Just remember enjoy it while you can, because Coach Saban doesn’t stay forever!!!
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
February 23rd, 2012
11:42 am
@ UGA Insider(NOT):
I don’t know who you are but you are no UGA Insider or you wouldn’t put BS like Bama getting all/most of the top recruits from Georgia. Saban did fair in Ga. in recruits from Ga.in 2012 but he did not get many TOP recruits. In 2011 UGA cleaned house in Ga, and in 2012 CMR got the top recruit from 4 different states while FSU, etc got most of Alabama’s top recruits in the 2012 class. (If you were a UGA Insider you would know all this) Also, you might want to take note that all those committing to Bama and ANY OTHER school have not yet signed so technically they are still there for the picking.
Ever hear of Jordan Jenkins??? No.1 ranked 2012 DE in Ga.??? He decommitted from Bama to UGA.and in his own words the reason he ever committed to Bama was because he was being told by Bama coaches that CMR was going to be fired. If I was a Bama coach and read Horse Crap like you and your ilk who are DFINO(Dawg Fans In Name Only) have posted on here I probably would have done the same thing.
UGA Insider = DFINO = Troll
*****************************************************************************************************************
BLACKOUT: Where Art Thou???
SECIsFootball
February 23rd, 2012
11:43 am
dewaynedixon…prior to Saban we still sold out our stadium for every home game. No sure what you are looking at but BAMA fans have never gone anywhere. Just so you are aware, during the Shula years, fans support was apparently good enough to add 10,000 seats to the stadium. When that was done there was still a 10,000 person waiting list to get into Tide Pride.
SECIsFootball
February 23rd, 2012
11:45 am
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)….looking at ALabama commitment list, I see 4 guys that UGA wanted and 3 they made a late push for. Geno Smith, Brandon Greene, Dillon Lee and Delvin Tomlinson. On UGA’s roster I saw one that BAMA made any kind of push for and that was Jenkins. Just sayin…
Blackoutanyone?
February 23rd, 2012
11:47 am
bham…simple mistake. I work in the brook and watched both play many times in HS. I never understood the 5* status of Tyler. He seemed to have the build but not the mean streak. To touch on your conversation with SECisfootball… Bama recruits the same players as UGA. The only real reqson I see less arrests at Bama is first kids know if they screw up there are 3 more just as talented to take that playing time. Richt doesn’t have the depth to run his program in such a manner as yet. Additionally, Saban has shown if you can’t stay out of trouble he has no problem shipping your butt off to another school. Richt just cut two kids for stealing from team mates but gave them the option to return from JUCO in two years and gave a kid a two game susupension for poping his girlfriend. Would never play out like that under Saban.
The Bear
February 23rd, 2012
11:48 am
@dewaynedixon Oh we were around but at that time the Georgia fan base had not got to the point of blaming everyone from their own parents to the preacher man at church for Georgia’s woes. Then comes along a “Football” coach who teaches teamwork, dedication and carrying on the tradition laid down by the great players, coaches and fans before him. Now Bama has won 2 National Titles and other teams are still stuck in the mud remembering the “old” days of glory, while Bama is creating new ones. Thus the BAND WAGON BAMA bashes come out!
Did I mention Roll Tide 2012
Tide Pride
February 23rd, 2012
11:49 am
You know he be solid to the Saban. He aint going gonna flip to UGa. That would be the dummest thing he could do 4 education and football career.
Oh funny. Hill Billy dog fans making fun of me? Really? That like the black ketelle calling the pot black.
TR
February 23rd, 2012
11:50 am
Jon, bama cant win withjust their in state players???? really? AJ Green,Matt Stafford, Knowshon, A. Murray, and O. Charles said hi, welcome to the new millenium where every major school except Texas recruits nationally
slydog
February 23rd, 2012
11:52 am
I agree, Lagrange is more “West’ GA than South, but I was just helping the uninformed out as far as transferring High Schools without your parents actually moving. And yes, I am well aware there are 4 High Schools in Dougherty County. But the rules are really simple, as long as the student resides in the same district as the school he/she is transferring to, all that is needed is a guarantee of transportation from the parents/guardian. All that federal/state law “minutiae”, principals and school districts waive that all the time, especially for prized athletes.
Derrek
February 23rd, 2012
11:52 am
Pretty sure Bama has always sold out their stadium because all there is to do there is cook meth or chase your sister around. Plus Im sure stepping foot on a University is like a Georgian going on an exotic cruise for the Bammers.
Blackoutanyone?
February 23rd, 2012
11:54 am
Brainiac… U my boy and what not but I have to throw the bullshat flag. Jordan Jenkins was never a Bama commit….just a heavy lean. The rest sounds like poo as well. Most articles I’ve seen prospect commend Bama’s staff for not engaging in negative recruiting. No need to as Bama speaks for itself. BTW u see Bama is projected to have 5 first round draft picks this April?
@TR
February 23rd, 2012
11:56 am
Difference is though Alabama’s roster is year in and year out 50% out of state players. Of course Alabama, or Auburn, would nit be competitive with only Alabama players. UGA’s roster is always overwhelmingly Georgia boys.
Tdawg
February 23rd, 2012
11:56 am
If any of these kids decide to transfer, the GHSA won’t do a dang thing about it. They only passed the new rule’s to apease some people. They never had any intentions of enforcing the new rules. I mean look at Robert Carter. The basketball player from T’ville that was openly recurited to Shilo by his AAU coach. That on transgression alone, made a mockery of the GHSA. .
slydog
February 23rd, 2012
11:58 am
@Drago
February 23rd, 2012
12:47 am
“Slydog,
Where do you get your information? Coweta County has one school system. There is no “municipal” or city school system in Newnan. High School students in Coweta go to either east coweta, Northgate, or Newnan as laid out in catchment areas defined by the school board.
Now, Carrollton does have a city/county system as you describe.”
Duh!!! Did I say Coweta County has a municipal school system? Nope. My point is, in general, students who tend to stay closer to the city limits of Newnan, for example, or in this case, Lagrange, are zoned for Newnan High or Lagrange High, but nothing precludes these same students from transferring to East Coweta High or Troup County High, respectively or vice versa, save some minor detail. I have known people in Newnan/Coweta County who have stayed in the same neighborhoods but go to one of 3 schools: Newnan, East Gate, or East Coweta. Now, I was doing was generalizing. People please stop making folks explain every single itty bitty detail. This isn’t law school…lol.
The Bear
February 23rd, 2012
12:00 pm
@Brainiac come on man don’t be so hard on people! Get the fishing poles and head to the lake! Crappies are biting right now! I know you would rather be Noodling!
TR
February 23rd, 2012
12:01 pm
bham dawg you are a liar/troll/idiot you pick, Nick Saban hired january 2007, Love signed LOI feb 2008, still a Shula recruit? Come on man!
bham dawg
February 23rd, 2012
12:01 pm
@blackout… a kid a two game susupension for poping his girlfriend. Would never play out like that under Saban.
Courtney Upshaw was arrested for domestic violence and was never even suspended. Now I know you are going to say that it was all his girlfriend and not him, but the fact is that he was still arrested for domestic violence. Conflicting reports about commings situation reflect the same thing occured with him that is was really his girlfriend that was pushing him and that he never layed a hand on her. it’s all hear say but the fact remains that richt has already suspended him before the legal process has even run its course.
Tdawg
February 23rd, 2012
12:02 pm
The Bear, you forgot the lying, cheating and less than honorable way treating your kids. Yea a Bama fan would forget those thing, now wouldn’t he. Go craw back into your cave. Winter ain’t over yet. Better yet, go murder another Auburn tree.
bham dawg
February 23rd, 2012
12:03 pm
@blackout… where do you work in mountain brook?
The Bear
February 23rd, 2012
12:07 pm
Upshaw,Commings and a lot of other athletes’ are tried, convicted and sentenced before “All” the facts really ever come in. The media makes a side show out of it and the institutions are pressured into taking some type of action whether right or wrong. Then the real truth comes out.
Bama fans Really???
February 23rd, 2012
12:07 pm
Why are yall still playing college ball….You could have won the super bowl the last four years? Please go on to the NFL so someone else can win…jeez you guys make me sick…
Flo-Ri-Duh
February 23rd, 2012
12:08 pm
Don’t think the state of Georgia to just let a kid transfer unless he moves in to that area – not even the great Reuben Foster. However, I do appreciate his loyalty to this coach but he will soon get over it and stay in school. Why? Because it is the best thing for Reuben Foster. If a coach breaks the rules he will be punished – even Saban.
Bama fans Really???
February 23rd, 2012
12:08 pm
Enter your comments here
Bama fans Really???
February 23rd, 2012
12:11 pm
Really, I mean really??
UGASlobberknocker
February 23rd, 2012
12:11 pm
I hope Tray listens to his old man. Why not check out every single possiblity? This is 4 years of his life. I believe UGA is the best bet but because of that, I’m not afraid of any one doing comparison shopping. It’s not like we’re Tech where every other place on Earth their recruits would go will look better.