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Name: Donnie Foster
Position: Center
Year: Freshman
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 320
Hometown: Savannah, Ga.
High School: Savannah Christian Prep/IMG Academy
2013 Stats: He started all ten games for an offense that scored almost 32 points per game. Foster won IMG Academy's Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year for his success on the field and in the classroom.
2014 Projections: He's not likely to play at all because (1) he's only a freshman preferred walk-on and (2) Syracuse has stability on the offensive line. The Orange returns four of its five starting linemen from last year's squad. On the newly released team depth chart, Foster came in as the third string center.
How'd He Get Here: Foster transferred to IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) for his senior year to get more exposure and play in a pro-style offense. He got offers from Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Dartmouth, but there are no scholarships in that conference. Foster received preferred walk-on positions from some other schools, including Auburn and Georgia, according to Nate Mink. But Foster said he liked Syracuse's academic standing and his chance to win a job and, by doing so, win a scholarship.
What'd Recruiting Sites Say: Not rated.
"I've played against top level players," he said. "Some are going to Florida and Georgia and Ole Miss. I've seen my friends go there and I've been able to compete with them. The FBS is a chance to be able to get better and compete at the highest level."
Links of Wonder: Here's a nice write-up about Foster's time at IMG where he balanced football, friendships and -- my favorite -- AP Calculus.
Twitterfeed: @donnie_foster
Tweet of Wonder:
Been blessed to have the opportunity to continue my academics and athletics at #Syracuse can't wait to be a part of #CuseNation #CUSE14
— Donnie Foster (@donnie_foster) March 8, 2014
What Does Shafer Think of Him: Good question. He hasn't said much publicly about Foster. But you know how Shaf loves those diamond in the rough kids with something to prove.
Interesting Nugget O' Interest: According to his Cuse.com page, his dad golfed for San Jose State University and competed on The Big Break II, a reality show on The Golf Channel. Reality TV...on The Golf Channel. Who knew?
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