After a few sleepless nights, Tennessee’s laid-back tailback finally made a decision about his future with the Vols.
But at a Tuesday press conference in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center, junior Arian Foster announced he would return to Tennessee — but not without a subtle bit of his trademark humor.
“With all said and done, I’ve decided to forgo,” Foster said with a slight pause, “my opportunity to play in the NFL and stay for my senior season.”
Foster, who this season became the 13th player in UT history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season, received a second-round grade from the NFL’s college advisory committee.
That projection gave Foster plenty to think about, he said, but ultimately a chance to play behind five returning starters on the offensive line and a goal of winning a championship helped tip the scales in favor of another year in Knoxville.
“The most important thing to me is I came to Tennessee to win,” Foster said. “I truly want to win the national championship. If I didn’t think the team coming back wasn’t qualified to do that, I probably wouldn’t be coming back, but I think we can.”
Another factor for Foster is the potential to set UT’s career rushing-yardage record.
After gaining 1,193 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns this season, the San Diego native is seventh on UT’s all-time list.
He trails Travis Henry, UT’s all-time leading rusher and the only player to top 3,000 career rushing yards, by just 684 yards.
“That had a little bit to do with it also,” Foster said. “There’s been so many great running backs who have come through this place — Jamal Lewis, Travis Stephens, Travis Henry, I could go on and on. To just have the opportunity to lead that pack, that’s special.”
Stan Drayton, hired last week as UT’s running backs coach after three seasons at Florida, also played a role in Foster’s decision to return for his final season, as did newly hired offensive coordinator Dave Clawson.
Foster said he spoke with both before reaching his final decision Monday, one day before the NFL’s deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft.
“I told him what his strengths were, and I told him what his weaknesses were,” Drayton said. “I’ve been watching film on him, did some studying on him. I just told him what I thought.”
That included a frank discussion of the things Foster could do to improve himself — and possibly his draft status — in addition to helping the Vols win.
“I told him there were some things from a fundamentals standpoint, from a playing standpoint that I thought that he needed to be concentrating on studying defenses, be able to get himself in a situation as a running back to be able to anticipate situations a little bit more,” Drayton said. “There were times when I thought he looked hesitant on the football field last year. I thought those were things that were correctable things, that within a year not only will they improve his play but could potentially improve his draft status.”
That struck a chord with Foster, who wanted to see who the Vols brought in as running backs coach and coordinator before making his decision.
“I like that about him,” Foster said of Drayton. “He told me some of the flaws he sees in me as a running back, right off the bat. I don’t know this guy from a wet can of paint. I like that. I like a challenge, I like to be challenged.”
Foster said he’s hopeful he can improve on his second-round grade, but that he didn’t feel too far apart from some of the other elite juniors like Arkansas’ Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, Rutgers’ Ray Rice and Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart, who declared early.
Foster also thought his versatility (he caught 39 passes for 340 yards this season) and smarts helped earn him that second-round grade.
“You get to talking on the phone with some people, they have you right in that mix,” Foster said. “I believe I was right in that mix. I think when a fan looks at my play, they look at, ‘Oh he’s OK.’ But when a coach looks at my play, they see I don’t make mistakes. I know what’s going on on the field. I know what other people are doing on the field. It’s like having a second quarterback in the backfield, not to blow any smoke. But I know what I’m doing on the field.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
NCAA Tennessee 83 - Ohio 68
Vols' spring practice wit…
NCAA Tennessee Lady Vols 75-4…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 148
RockyTopRooks writes:
Well Duh!! This was a no brainer. I dont think is a shocker. He probably wouldnt get drafted at all with all the other good junior running backs coming out in this years draft.
maybe Drayton can teach him how to run the ball North and South. instead of the usual-- side step, side step, stiff arm and oh im out of bounds with a 3 or 4 yard gain.
vol4good#206163 writes:
Good News!! Better than the news we got yesterday.
rabidvol1998 writes:
Barring injury, he will become the all-time leading rusher in TN history. Have to give him props, although i thought his best year was his freshman year.
TommyJack writes:
RockyTop: You have a problem with 3-4 yd. gains?
ksteelescvol writes:
Great news... He is a solid back, you don't make the top ten at UT unless your pretty good. Might even see him play the role of Chris Brown next season with Montario or one of the younger backs carrying the Fritter. Thanks for your hard work and commitment Arian.
Hacksaw57 writes:
Good News.
It can only be a positive note that Arian is returning for his Senior season. He has shown that he is a good durable running back with room for improvement which I think he will receive with a somewhat new Offensive scheme from our recent coaching hires. The trick is to keep healthy and those who have played the game know to do that means to go FULL SPEED at all times. It dosen't matter how FAST you are but that you always give a 100 percent effort MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY from whistle to whistle.
If you slack up, that's when you will get hurt.
VOLstuckINky writes:
Say what you want to about Foster ... he looked back to freshman form at times this year. Break away speeed lacking, I like him in the line up.
We're on a roll now .... steal some recruits before 2/15 and its highs through the off season.
auttat writes:
RockyTopRooks, how many yards did you average while playing college football?
utchris writes:
In other news, Titans just canned Chow. Looks like he should have jumped one of the college jobs while he had a chance.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I guess I'm a little dingy, but you have to give Foster his props. The Lord saved him in the SC game with a OT recovering that fumble. I think seeing him caught from behind several times with his tendency to run East-West muddles my thinking.
IF (big IF) Hardesty can manage to stay healthy, what a tandem we could have next year. I believe Crompton will be a better gamer than Ainge which is saying something.
Defense is worrysome in no pass rush and quicker LBs needs to be addressed. Perhaps, it will, Chavis has delivered before. Hope he can again. 7 months....
todd#529269 writes:
id say if we could average 3-4 yds a carry, we would win alot of football games!
HotlantaVol writes:
I thought he was gone for sure. A probable second round pick is pretty hard to pass up, I'm sure. I would attribute this change of heart to the new coaching staff and would hope that this is an indication that these guys really do know how to recruit and how to coach. I look forward to seeing how Signing Day winds up.
bustervols writes:
What a nice young man!
DadwasaVol writes:
I like that Foster runs downhill and he protects the quarterback well. Between Foster, Hardesty, and Crompton - look out!
bustervols writes:
Hack, How would you know all that?
CoastGuardVol writes:
Good news! Good news!! Arian, this no doubt was a great decision. You are the man. Cant wait for August 2008. GO VOLS!!!
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Glad to hear Foster is returning, however I cant wait until we get Creer the ball more, he will be a superstar I believe.......Go Vols!
99gator writes:
smart decision
Ironcity writes:
Glad Arion's coming back. Good luck keep working on holding the ball!
invisiblekid writes:
Glad to see Foster make this decision, hope it
works out well for all parties involved. I'd like to see Clawson expand on his pass catching abilities. He made a few nice plays down the field last year and I think this is one area that has not been utilized enough under the UT system.
Hunter writes:
Arian Foster is a TERRIFIC back who WILL start on Sundays in a few years. He doesn't look "fast," but he has that little dead leg move that somehow makes him impossible to tackle by just one defender.
He runs "East to West" because our offensive line this year was built around zone blocking, which is notorious for very little running room up the middle. The zones allowed the O-line to spread the field and open up the outer lanes.
It seems that our "armchair running backs" are quick to judge Arian based off of perceived slowness and fumbling problems. I didn't see either this season. Try to keep up, kids.....
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
Glad to see some supporters of Arian out today. I have always said that this guy is a beast and we are lucky to have him.
Stauch opposition points to key fumbles, but there are a number of games that we wouldnt have had a chance in without Foster.
Extremely happy he is coming back. A leader, a man of good character, and someone who understands how to have fun playing football and still perform as expected. Welcome back...make us proud!
bhjohnso#207063 writes:
Glad he's coming back, I think he's a solid back. I also think he's got a chance to be a decent NFL back...3-5 ypc is what a lot of those teams are looking for plus his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield...and if you really think about it, he didn't fumble all that often, just seems like it was a backbreaker every time he did.
TurboFan writes:
He's fumbled 4 times is what I read once. SC game (we recovered), Fla game (Ainge backward handoff), Penn St game (game killer). What was the other one?
hdhurst writes:
VolnDothan: You are right on. This is a move that benefits UT, but I am sure this was not one of his prime motives. In fact, IMO I don't think it is worthy of calling a news conference.
Don't get me wrong. I am a fan of Foster, even his East-West coast running has it's place in the game. I do hope the new RB coach and offense schemes can get him to think more straight up the field.
With a little improvement and a good year for UT, this could make him a first round pick after he graduates. Another decent year handling the ball will allow him to get past the perception of being a little fumble prone. I also hope Clawson makes him into a Brian Westbrook type. We could utilize his pass catching skills.
GO VOLS...looking forward to the coming season!!
cdldoc#211897 writes:
John Adams was correctamundo for once.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
What Hunter said.
Arian I'm very glad to see you back for your senior year. Give your all for the Orange and White and play like a champion. That's all a true fan asks, win or lose!
pj_volnindy writes:
I, too, am excited about this decision. Arian is really good, but I don't think he's peaked yet. I'm looking forward to seeing how he grows during his last year here.
tigervol9802 writes:
WD40 -
South Carolina 2005 into the endzone. He doesn't fumble much. But when he does...it's always a biggie and one you remember.
I think a lot of his running style this year was what he was coached to do. Get out of bounds and avoid the hit. I think he did exactly what he was coached to do, much like Ainge and his quick release/don't take a hit.
Like I said on the other thread, if Drayton can get him a step faster, he'll be very hard to stop.
wuwh_08#331952 writes:
has anybody heard anything on Jameel Owens commitment yet?
johnsoncityvol45 writes:
I think this is a great decision for Arian. There are 9 underclassmen running backs in the draft. Wait till next year and possibly be a first round pick. He doesnt run away from anybody but he can catch and block really well. If Hardesty can just stay healthy they would make a great tandem.
bigtimevol writes:
Besides the obvious plus of having AF solidify our running game, which we'll need while breaking in a new qb, w/ a solid OL, I think it's just as important that he's coming back for senior leadership. Senior leadership on a team is THE difference b/t having a good team and a championship team.
tigervol9802 writes:
Hunter -
I agree with 99% of what you said, however, I still have visions of the Cal and LSU where he was ran down when he had nothing but endzone in front of him and in both cases we did not score. He's got elusiveness, but he needs that last step of breakaway speed to be a great back. He's borderline, but not quite top tier.
FLVol writes:
Oh good now we will win the national championship and my name is Luka and I live on the 2nd floor.
heathut15 writes:
i like foster,he is good catching the ball out in the flat or on a screen,needs to run north and south a little more but i am glad he is back... GO VOLS
GreerVol22 writes:
As long as he runs as if every yard gained increases his signing bonus and draft status then its all good. But if he has senioritis and becomes afraid to hit anyone , ala Heffney, then don't bother.
GreerVol22 writes:
Interesting, Applewhite may be out at BAMA
http://alabama.rivals.com/barrier_noe...
ctownvol writes:
He has more speed than some of you are giving him credit for. Remember the Georgia game this year? He took one around the right side and totally outran Asher Allen, one of UGA's best cover corners for a 20+ yard td run. Even the announcers calling the game on tv pointed out that he has more speed than given credit for on that run. I am very happy he will be a part of the team next year. RTYAB!
bowerst#242774 writes:
This is smart for Foster and good for UT. This is a very good, deep draft for running backs. And the Vols will need an experienced guy in the backfield as they break in a new quarterback.
Foster works hard and runs hard. He does his best with what the Lord gave him. That's about all you can ask, and more than you can say for lots of guys.
tnbanker_govols writes:
I'm curious to see how our new running backs coach can develop Foster. I really believe Foster has great talent but he just needs to be persistent at giving 110% for the Vols. As long as he stays away from the wacky tobaccky, he should be just fine.
pms151 writes:
I am new to this thread and need some help. I am using Safari and need to know if there is a way to get real time posts updated without constantly reloading the page. Kinda like RSS? Thanks if you can help.
texvol writes:
Some good news after yesterday. This kid should have been escorting the recruits. But there is more good news to football fans in Tennessee to celebrate. Looks like a true idiot, named Adam jones, finally found a way to never be a football role model in Tennessee. Hooray!
nickperkinsalc#627224 writes:
Very solid running back....Not great, but solid...
texvol writes:
Solid power runner. He has made his on field mistakes and is coming back to stand up like a man and make up for it. He wants to be a Tennessee great. I commend him for that.
Hacksaw57 writes:
The sign on the wall leaving the dressing room says it more appropriately than any of us that post on the web site can:
" I WILL GIVE MY ALL FOR TENNESSEE TODAY!"
If you can't give it all, then you can't expect to produce very much or get anything in return. If any athlete, not just Arian Foster in this situation, chooses to come back to make a difference it should be a done to further the TEAM’S GOALS and NOT personal ones. If their decision is based on personal ones then they SHOULD pursue the “NFL dream”. I have a TREMENDOUS amount of respect for ANYONE who chooses to return to help the TEAM. I don’t care if they are the first string All SEC leading rusher or the third string weak side safety that is on the scout team. Their decision is based on what can I DO for US instead of what can YOU do for ME. Thanks, Arian. Make us proud to be a VOL!
texvol writes:
pms151, can't help you. Know nothing about Apple browsers. But welcome.
texvol writes:
That's my point hacksaw, to become a Tennessee Great you have to earn it. You just explained how.
BoogiemanTN writes:
Welcome back Arian and to those great football minds who posted that "he probably wouldn't be drafted anyway" should know he was a projected second rounder. I am surprised he stayed but it shows he wants to finish well. That takes a man.
jweaver3#395614 writes:
Amen Boogieman, I was about to post the same thing.
2nd round aint bad money!!!
Great to have you back Arian
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
waterskier3#226480 writes:
we should win the NC now!!!!! I was hoping he left just because he had holes open and didn't make the correct cut and it closed by the time he got there... how many guys did he make miss this year... how many did he outrun... i know of two chance he had to score on long runs and got caught from behind after a huge head start.... I think the backs behind him are better hardesty/creer..... its not hard to rush for 1000 yards when you play 14 games.. that's 71 yds per game.... is that really a great average?????????????????????????
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.