One of Arizona's top football recruits will be a Sun Devil this fall.
Saguaro High School's D.J. Foster announced his commitment to Arizona State in front of friends, family and teammates Friday.
Foster is the No. 2 ranked player in Arizona, according to Rivals.com. He is also ranked 71st nationally.
“It was probably one of the hardest decisions of my life up to this point,” Foster said after picking ASU.
He rushed for 3,058 yards during his senior season and set the state record with 60 touchdowns en route to the Sabercats’ second straight state title
Foster was leaning toward ASU throughout the process, but he opened his options when the Sun Devils lost the last five games of the season.
USC and Cal made strong pitches and were in the mix with ASU.
Foster wasn’t certain of his decision until he received a text from his father Friday morning. It was a picture of Foster’s dad wearing a gold ASU shirt. Right next to him was Foster’s sister, Jennifer, who passed away from an accidental overdose.
Foster picked Friday for his announcement because it’s father’s birthday. It also would’ve been Jennifer’s 22nd birthday.
The four-star athlete couldn’t stop crying as he hadn't seen the picture in years. Thereafter, his choice was clear: Foster wanted to be a Sun Devil.
“I know my sister is watching over me,” Foster said before he made his decision.
Asides from playing in front of family and friends, Foster said his ability to use the team’s workout facilities as soon as he signs his letter of intent played a factor in his decision.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Eubank was in attendance for Foster’s decision. Eubank said he’s a friend of Foster and attended a few games this season.
“He should expect burning thighs, dead arms, blood, sweat, tears, everything to win a championship,” Eubank said. “It’s right up his alley so he won’t have no problem adjusting to it.”
Foster went to ASU a few times and saw the work ethic the players have under new coach Todd Graham. He said he got a good vibe from his future coach and the offensive scheme at ASU is very similar to what Saguaro ran the past three years.
Foster hopes his decision to stay home will spur other recruits to do the same.
“I think it’s a great compliment to Todd Graham and his staff to be able to come in late and be able to sign D.J. Foster,” former Saguaro coach John Sanders said. “With D.J. Foster, I think other players are going to follow. They’ve asked him a lot of times. They’re following what D.J. is going to do.”
