Central Valley Standout Robert Foster is Alabama Bound

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, December 21, 2012 | 4:46 PM

To the surprise of many, Central Valley star wide receiver/defensive back Robert Foster will not follow in Rushel Shell's footsteps and stay home to play his college ball at Pitt. While the Panthers were one of his two finalists, Foster made a verbal commitment to play for the Crimson Tide of Alabama Friday afternoon.

Regarded as one of, if not the top recruit in the WPIAL this year, Foster was recruited by all the big name schools throughout the nation, but shrunk his final choices to Pitt and Alabama. Many felt he would stay in Western Pennsylvania and play for the University of Pittsburgh, much like the top recruit from a year ago, Rushel Shell from Hopewell did.

Foster, who Rivals.com listed as the 10th best receiving prospect in the country, will be headed to one of the top programs in the nation. Under Nick Saban, Alabama always seems to be in the title picture, having won the national championship in two of the last three years and will play for a second consecutive national championship on January 7th against Notre Dame.

This past year, Foster caught 45 passes for 756 while gaining 549 yards on the ground on 67 carries with 18 touchdowns in leading Central Valley to an 8-1 regular season record and a three way tie for the WPIAL Class AAA Parkway Conference championship. The Warriors lost to West Mifflin 36-35 in the district Semifinals, leaving them with a final mark of 10-2 with both losses coming in overtime. Central Valley was the only WPIAL to beat eventual 2012 champion West Allegheny this past season.

After starting his career playing at Monaca High School as a freshman, he opened many eyes his sophomore season when he helped lead first year school Central Valley (after a merger between Center High School and Monaca High School) to a surprise WPIAL championship run in 2010.

For his career, the 6-2, 185-pound senior had 2,003 yards receiving on 119 catches, plus 1,332 yards rushing. He was also a tremendous kickoff and punt returner and one of the top punters in the district.

In making this years list, Foster is one of a handful of players to be named to the MSA Sports Elite Eleven more than once in their high school careers. He was also voted this summer by the fans to be part of the 2012 MSA Sports Kennywood Park Preseason All-Star team. 

Tags: Central Valley