Crest 4-star LB Justin Foster talks South Carolina camp and upcoming Tennessee visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Crest High School linebacker Justin Foster is hands down one of the top players at his position for the 2017 recruiting class. As a sophomore the 6’2”, 220 pound, North Carolina prospect started coming into his own at outside linebacker coming up with 57 tackles, 7.0 tackles for a loss, and 2.0 sacks helping the Chargers clinch a state title with a 16-0 record.

In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview we caught up with Foster after he camped at South Carolina and a couple of days ahead of his visit to Tennessee to get an update on his recruitment and his offseason workouts.

 

Justin, how has your offseason gone so far, what all have you done to prepare for the upcoming season?

“I’ve been working out with the team. We have practices in the morning from like 8-10. Right now we are just in the weight room. We have 7×7 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I’ve also been playing some basketball so I can lean out for football.”

Have your measurables changed at all in the offseason?

“No sir, I’m still at 6’3”, 220.”

Have you maxed out in bench or squat lately? Last time we spoke your bench press max was 220 and your squat was at 370.

“No sir, I’m still at the same thing.”

Have you attended any one-day college camps this summer?

“I went to a South Carolina camp. That’s the only camp I’ve been to. I plan on going to Tennessee this weekend but it’s not for a camp just to visit.”

How did the South Carolina camp go for you?

“The South Carolina camp went pretty well. I got to spend a lot of time with the coaches and got to know them better. I got to see how the linebackers coach does everything.”

Did the camp help you develop a strong bond with the South Carolina coaches?

“Yes sir it did.”

The Tennessee visit, when will you be there?

“This Saturday.”

What all do you plan to do when you visit the Volunteers?

“They said it’s like an orange carpet thing they’re doing. I’ll get to see around and talk to the coaches and we’ll get to know each other a little better. I’m looking forward to talking to the linebackers coach (Tommy Thigpen) more because I really didn’t get to talk to him as much as I wanted to before. I’ll talk to him more and try to get an idea of how everything would go in a game if I was playing there.”

Do you plan to attend any other camps or make any additional unofficial visits this summer?

“I’m planning on going to Florida State and I’ll be going to Georgia in July. I’m working on trying to get down to Alabama’s camp.”

How many offers do you have now?

“Eleven.”

Last time we spoke you already had landed offers from Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest. What other schools have offered you recently?

“Virginia and Stanford.”

What were your thoughts after receiving the Virginia offer?

“I just really plan to get up there and visit, get to meet the coaches and everything. Our running back from Crest (Tre Harbison) is trying to talk to me into going up there.”

What are your thoughts about the Stanford offer?

“Stanford, that’s a great offer. It’s a hard offer to get because of their academics. I think the offer is wonderful and I plan on taking an official visit up there.”

Have you been doing anything fun with your off time this summer?

“Not really, no sir. I’m just getting ready for the season.”

By the way, congratulations on the U.S. Army All-American Game invite. How were you notified that you were selected to play in the game?

“Ryan Bratow, he contacted me and let me know I was invited to the game. He got my information and let me know my invite would be sent in the mail. That was pretty much it. We talked a little bit about the game.”

What are your thoughts on knowing you will be playing in that big game?

“I’m really excited about it. They told me I was the first one out of North Carolina invited to the game. It’s a really big honor.”

 

Photo credit: IC/DC; No. 35 Justin Foster