Reuben Foster describes what it was like going up against Derrick Henry at Alabama

Running back Derrick Henry and linebacker Reuben Foster were dominant college football players during their time at Alabama.

The two led the Crimson Tide to numerous huge wins while playing together at Alabama, including the 2015 national title.

While they were teammates on Saturdays, during the week they faced off against each other in practices.

Foster recently appeared on The Number One College Football Show and discussed what it was like going up against Henry at practice.

“To be honest, we were giving each other both the business,” Foster said. “Derrick Henry is not a joke, now. He is what he is. Don’t think all because the big Foster, hitting, tackling machine, missile, every day at practice going and getting Derrick Henry was making Derrick Henry better. No, Derrick Henry was making me better, as well.”

Henry won the Heisman in 2015 after rushing for more than 2,200 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Foster also had a great season in 2015, finishing second on the team with 73 tackles, including eight tackles for loss. As a senior in 2016, Foster won the Butkus Award presented to the top linebacker in college football. The unanimous first-team All-American accomplished a lot during his college career, but he did not enjoy tackling Henry in practice.

“He’s like 6-3, 200 and something pounds, running like a 4.3,” Foster said. “Like come on, man. You want to hit that? Every day?”

Henry was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2016 draft and has established himself as one of the best running backs in the NFL. The two-time All-Pro selection led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2019 and 2020. Last season, he rushed for 1,538 yards and 13 scores.

Foster was drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2017 draft following his senior season at Alabama. After spending two years in San Francisco, he was cut after getting in trouble off the field. Foster was claimed by Washington in 2018 and spent three seasons there but couldn’t stay healthy. He is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL.

Former Alabama LB describes what he learned from Nick Saban

In addition to talking about going up against Henry, Foster also spoke with The Number One College Football Show about playing under Nick Saban.

“To be honest it’s really the same structure that I’m doing now and that’s guys taking care of their bodies and implementing all the things that’s off the field that coach Saban installed. That’s a lot from being a man to being a great guy with character with the psychiatrist that they provide us,” Foster said.

“It’s just overall and living life and just being a hard worker and knowing that when you’re hurt, just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean you’ve got to sit down,” Foster said. “You’ve just got to keep working and pushing through and you’ll see different results.”

The post Reuben Foster describes what it was like going up against Derrick Henry at Alabama appeared first on On3.