Top-ranked safety BJ Foster signs with Texas

For the second time in three years, the nation’s top-ranked safety is Austin-bound, as elite Angleton safety BJ Foster signed with the Texas Longhorns on Wednesday, marking the second time since 2015 that the No. 1 player in the state joined the burnt orange nation.

Despite the 27 total offers from programs such as Texas A&M, TCU, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Penn State, there was rarely any doubt that Foster would follow the footsteps of guys like Quentin Jammer and Quandre Diggs and continue the Angleton-to-Austin lineage. In doing so, Foster provided Texas with the headliner of Tom Herman’s 2018 class and an elite safety who’s ultimately expected to secure his place in the defensive backfield.

A two-way talent for Angleton, after spending a portion of his junior season and the bulk of the offseason sidelined with an MCL injury, Foster thrived as a senior. Along with his elite expertise at safety, which has led to Foster being ranked better than anyone else in the nation at his position, Foster rushed for 952 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, as well as hauling in 24 receptions for 520 yards and three touchdowns.

Although Foster could certainly play running back at the next level, much of what makes his such a coveted prospect is his upside at safety.

A big, physical talent, Foster is a rangy defensive back who’s excellent in coverage, both in zone and one-on-one situations. His instinct in coverage, along with his hard-hitting tendencies and college-ready frame add to what makes Foster as ideal of a candidate as any to take over DeShon’s Elliott’s role at safety, although they staff may certainly elect to side with experience there.

247Sports provided further inside on the top-ranked player in Texas:

“Foster is a force on both sides of the football and he could be an explosive offensive weapon or a dominating defensive presence once he arrives n the college scene. As an offensive player he is able to gash defenses as a running back and cash in long plays. He has great top end speed. His most upside could very well be on the defensive side of the football. He has great height as a defensive back and is rangy. His frame will fill out in time and he could be a tremendous deep safety, but he also has the ability to lock down receivers with his one-on-one coverage skills.”

Whether it’s sooner or later, Foster is going to see the field at Texas in a full-time role and aside from any major setbacks, he’ll almost surely enter the 2018 season among the second unit. If the early enrollee is able to hit the ground running during spring football, it may not be long into his debut campaign before he’s starting alongside former top-ranked safety Brandon Jones.