Strengths: DeShaun Foster's very strong, and fast, and possesses incredible lateral movement. And despite the Pac-10's "soft" rep, he's not afraid to run between the tackles and get physical. Scouts think he'll be the next great West Coast back, because he's so dynamic coming out of the backfield, but thus far, he's more potential than anything else.
But oh, what potential! Dan Pompei compares him to Corey Dillon; others have compared him to Deuce McAllister. Foster has ideal NFL-size and strength, with a thick upper torso and a deceptive elusiveness that make him very difficult to tackle. If healthy, he has the speed to get outside, but is perhaps better served inside, where his balance, terrific field vision and expert footing become weapons.
Areas of concern: Health. Foster missed almost all of 1998 with a knee injury, unsuccessfully tried to play the 1999 season with a troublesome high ankle sprain, and then was hampered last year by a hand injury. As a result, he's racked up 1,000 yards only once in three college seasons.
He also irked more than a few Bruin coaches, who felt he didn't rehab his knee injury with quite the vigor they would have liked, though he put some of those concerns to rest with a strong, focused spring workout in 2000. He was also picked up and charged last year for marijuana possession, though he claims he was innocent.
Is he sponge-worthy? It will depend on what type of offense Chris Palmer runs, and where the Texans end up drafting. Foster's not number one overall good, and likely won't be, even with a spectacular 2001 season.
But next year could see as many as five really, really good backs available, which could push Foster closer to the second round. If Palmer wants/needs a back who can catch out of the backfield, block and, of course, run, Foster would be an ideal pick.
