Mason Foster

Mason Foster

No. 59     Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Middle Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: March 1, 1989 (1989-03-01) (age 22)
Place of birth: Seaside, California
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	Weight: 245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
College: Washington
NFL Draft: 2011 / Round: 3 / Pick: 84
Debuted in 2011 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Career history
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2011–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
2010 College All-American (FWAA, PFW)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2011
Tackles	32
Sacks	2.0
Forced fumbles	1

Mason Foster (born March 1, 1989) is an American football linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.^[1]

High school

Foster played at Seaside High School, leading them to a 12-1 overall record, a 5-0 league record, a Monterey Bay league title and the CIF Central Coast Section small school championship in 2006. Foster led a defense that allowed just six points per game during the regular season and recorded four shutouts, as well as taking over at quarterback midway through the season. Foster was named the Monterey County player of the year by the Monterey Herald, defensive player of the year by the Salinas Californian, an All-Central Coast Section first-team linebacker by the San Jose Mercury News, and CalHiSports all-state first team for 2006. He was ranked the No. 68 linebacker recruit in the country by Rivals.com.

College career

2007

As a true freshman, Foster played in all 13 games, starting four games including three at weakside linebacker and one at middle linebacker.

2008

Started all 12 at one outside linebacker spot, leading the Pac-10 Conference in tackles per game with 8.75 and topped the Washington's team with 12.0 tackles for loss. Foster earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 as well as being named the Huskies' team MVP (Defense).

2009

Started all 12 of the Huskies' games at one linebacker spot, finishing second on the team with 85 total tackles while leading the Pac-10 with six forced fumbles. Named honorable mention All-Pac-10 as well as The Sporting News' All-Pac-10 first team.

2010

Started all 13 of the Huskies' games at linebacker, recording 162 tackles (12.46/gm) finishing second in FBS. Foster was named an All-American.^[2] Earned Defensive MVP honors for the 2011 Holiday Bowl in a win over Nebraska.^[3] Was invited to, and played in the 2011 Senior Bowl.^[4]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pre-draft measureables

Ht	Wt	Arm length	Hand size	40-yd dash	10-yd split	20-yd split	20-ss	3-cone	Vert	Broad	BP
6 ft 1 in	245 lb	31 in	9 5/8 in	4.75 s			4.45 s	7.14 s	31 in	9 ft 2 in	22 rep
All values from NFL Combine[5]

In the months leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft, Foster was considered one of the top linebackers and was expected to be selected in the 3rd or 4th round. After the Senior Bowl, analysts were in agreement that he had in fact improved his draft stock with many saying he could go as high as the late second round.^[6] Foster continued to impress at the NFL Scouting Combine where he performed very well in the on-field drills.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Foster was selected in the 3rd round (84th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL Draft.^[7] He was fined $20,000 for a hit on Chad Ochocinco following the second preseason game. Ochocinco offered to pay the fine for him, as he disagreed with the league's decision, but the league stated that he would not be able to.^[8] Foster began his rookie season as the Buccaneers' starting middle linebacker.

References

1. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers, Washington OLB Mason Foster in second, third rounds". Tampabay.com. 2011-04-29. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-select-clemson-de-daquan-bowers-in-second-round-of/1166879. Retrieved 2011-04-29. 
2. ^ "Scout.com 2010 All-America Team". Collegefootball.Scout.com. 2010-12-01. http://collegefootball.scout.com/2/1027197.html. Retrieved 2010-12-19. 
3. ^ "Holiday Bowl: After deadline...". LosAngelesTimes. 2010-12-31. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/12/holiday-bowl-after-deadline.html. Retrieved 2011-05-02. 
4. ^ "Under Armour Senior Bowl Lands Locker, Foster". SeniorBowl.com. 2011-01-09. http://www.seniorbowl.com/article.asp?articleID=265. Retrieved 2011-01-30. 
5. ^ "Mason Foster Combine Profile", NFL.com, http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/mason-foster?id=2495281, retrieved March 1, 2011 
6. ^ "Senior Bowl notes: Whose stock is up?". ESPN.com. 2011-01-28. http://espn.go.com/blog/pac10/post/_/id/18608/senior-bowl-notes-whose-stock-is-up. Retrieved 2011-03-01. 
7. ^ "Former Huskies linebacker Mason Foster drafted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers". Seattle Times. 2011-04-29. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskyfootball/2014915647_draftlocals30.html?prmid=head_main. Retrieved 2011-04-29. 
8. ^ Smith, Michael David (August 24, 2011). "Mason Foster fined $20,000 for hit on Ochocinco". profootballtalk.com. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/24/mason-foster-fined-20000-for-hit-on-ochocinco/. Retrieved 2011-08-24. 

External links

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio
• Washington Huskies bio
• NFL Combine profile
• ESPN bio