TomVH: An Interview with DJ Foster
Since I'm out in Arizona I have been saying Saguaro ATH DJ Foster (5'10", 180 lbs) was more than worthy of an offer for some time. He finally got a Michigan offer Monday, and I caught up with him to talk about it. Here's a look at his defensive film and what he had to say.
TOM: I know Michigan offered today, but who came out to see you?
DJ: Coach Ferrigno stopped by school today. I couldn't really talk much, you know how that goes. Today was the first day of spring ball though so he watched a little bit of our defensive practice. After that he said that I had an offer from Michigan. Auburn was out today, they didn't offer but they told my coach that they might be offering pretty soon.
TOM: I know your coach, Coach Sanders, has been saying Michigan should have offered you for awhile now. Where is your interest level at with Michigan?
DJ: My interest is pretty high. When Cyrus [Hobbi] took his visit last year to Michigan he said it was hands down the best campus he had ever seen. That stuck with me, so I hope I can get out there to see it. Plus all the tradition and history they have, and I know a few guys out there like Taylor [Lewan].
TOM: I'm assuming when you say you want to get out there that it would be for an official visit, and not an unofficial visit?
DJ: Yeah, I plan on taking all five of my official visits. I'm definitely going to try to use them on schools that I can't really see on unofficials. I would love to use one of them on Michigan.
TOM: I know Michigan is kind of late to the party here, but do you have a top group yet?
DJ: As of now I kind of have a top five, but schools keep offering so it keeps changing. Right now it's USC, ASU, Oregon, Stanford, and Cal. That changes all the time though, like when schools like Michigan offer. My top three is probably USC, ASU, and Oregon for now.
TOM: To jump back to Michigan, have the coaches told you what they're recruiting you as? You're so versatile you can probably play anywhere.
DJ: Michigan is recruiting me as a defensive back. I'm fine with that, I like either side of the ball.
TOM: Speaking of your versatility, can you describe your game to people that haven't seen you play?
DJ: I can adapt to anything. If they want me to play receiver or cornerback, I'll work hard no matter what. I have some size and power, and I have very good vision. I don't really know if I'm better on offense or defense, I like both sides. I have people tell me both, some people say they see me as a defensive back in college so I don't know.
TOM: Since the Michigan attention is coming late, is there still a chance for them? I know you said your interest is high, but what does that mean?
DJ: Definitely, I like Coach Ferrigno, so they definitely have a chance. That's going to be big for me is the relationship with the coaches, and my parents are going to have a say in it. I'm not going to rush into anything, and like I said I'm going to take all my official visits.
The bottom line right now is that they need to get him on campus for a visit. Oregon probably sticks out the most for him right now, but he has genuine interest in Michigan. We'll just have to wait and see.
This kid is a stud. I got the chance to see him play last year. Great field vision. I would have loved him in RRs offense but see him as a defender with Hoke running the show.
against a guy like Terry Richardson? DJ seems to have the size advantage but Richardson's tape is pretty epic. Any thoughts on where Michigan falls between these two players? Do you see us taking 2 CBs for this class?
I would agree that Foster looks like more of an athlete. He would measure out better as far as height, weight, and pure speed go. In other words, I think he'd be a great combine player.
However, I think Terry Richardson just has a knack for making plays and creating turnovers. He's just one of those guys who's around the ball, reads plays well, etc.
I think they're probably both solid 4-stars with approximately the same level of overall talent.
Thanks Tom I was wondering why we hadn't offered him earlier either.
We're definitely late to the party, but it seems like big-name offers are still coming in for him, so there's hope. And hey, it's pretty easy to sell early playing time in the secondary right now. It helps that he knows Lewan - who seems like a really personable guy - so hopefully Lewan can do a little nudging in our direction.
Sounds like a great prospect with a solid offer list. It seems to me like he has both the interest and skills to play positions where we'll have some need in coming years (especially DB). I wonder what his chances of also seeing some time on offense would be if he did end up here (but I suppose that depends on the rest of the 2012 class).
I'll run naked through campus.
He is BIG TIME~
You have a pretty appropriate username for a person who would take part in such activities.
I know peat is a long shot and I mean sniper range but what was the feelings about that? any interest being exchanged?
DJ would be a welcome addition to this class. he looks like an impact player that could make that impact very shortly up in AA. Come be a part of something special DJ!!
I'm thinking they wanted to shore up the Midwest and work from there.
He just went in the 5th or 6th round to SF as a WR, don't let this happen to you DJ.
but it looks like he plays way off the ball. Watched about 3 min of that highlight reel and saw no press coverage. Interesting how now we offer someone who has experience running in a 3-3-5....
I find it very interesting that Cyrus [Hobbi] said Michigan was " hands down the best campus he had ever seen". That truely says something about AA and how the coaches portray the campus to the recruits. As a recent Grad, I will surely miss diag and big house.
This guy will do well wherever he goes. However, only one (D1) school has wings on their helmets...
Delaware?
Edit. - Roh and Lewan ==> Chapparal; Foster ==> Saguaro. Got my desert flora mixed up.
Yeah so watching Foster versus other Michigan DB recruits, I'll say that I'm higher on Foster than the other guys (even Richardson). It's a shame we offered him "late" if the issue with his recruitment will be that we can't get him because we're behind in those regards. I'm just so impressed with everything he brings to the table. I think he can be a very good corner, but also help the team to win returning kicks, punts, sometimes on offense if necessary. I can't get over this kid's speed. He's so quick.
I don't think that offering late will be an issue for DJ. It sounds like he's had interest in Michigan before the coaches even started talking to him. Our foot has been in the door as early as anyone else.
I get that offering late makes us have to come from behind, but that staff - particularly on defense - can flat out recruit. If the interest is there on both sides, and we get this kid on campus, we have as good of a shot as any school.
Also, it seems like other big time programs are first getting involved with his recruiting now, and he plans to take his time anyway, so as long as we can secure one of his 5 officials, I don't thinkt that the late offer will hurt us.
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