Thu Mar 27 15:22:09 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Around FCS: Running Down Jayson Foster

---

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Jayson Foster is used to going places in a hurry. But while he was rushing with his family from his home in Canton, GA to Chattanooga, TN for the Sports Network awards dinner on Dec. 13, Foster saw something that forced him to slow down.

"We were trying to get up the road and not be late when my mom noticed a billboard congratulating me as one of the Payton Award finalists," said Foster.

Foster about came out of the driver's seat, but quickly regained his composure and made it to the dinner on time. A couple of hours later, the Georgia Southern quarterback's name was announced as the 21st winner of the Walter Payton Award.

And on his trip back home the next day, the billboard had been changed to reflect that he was the Payton Award winner.

"I'll never forget that," Foster said. "I never expected anything like that."

Foster said he was honored to just be one of the three finalists for the Payton Award, but that he really didn't expect to be named as the winner.

"Eric Sanders had led Northern Iowa to an undefeated season and the No. 1 ranking in the regular season and Josh Johnson of San Diego had thrown all of those touchdown passes (43), with just one interception," Foster explained. "I was just glad to be a finalist."

There was little doubt in the minds of the voters that Foster deserved the award. After oddly being moved from quarterback to wide receiver by then- Georgia Southern coach Brian Van VanGorder as a junior, Foster was reinstated as the Eagles' quarterback last year and responded with a season for the ages.

He rushed for 1,844 yards and 24 touchdowns and threw for 1,203 and six more scores. He was second nationally in rushing and was 12th in total offense with 3,047 yards.

The ever-versatile athlete also caught six passes for 65 yards, returned 17 punts for 133 yards and added one kickoff return for 38. And more importantly, Foster was one of the primary reasons that Georgia Southern rebounded from the worst season in school history (3-8) to improve to 7-4 last year.

With Foster fueling a high-powered attack, the Eagles came within a missed field goal against Furman of winning a share of the Southern Conference title and the league's automatic bid to the playoffs. He also orchestrated a 38-35 victory at three-time national champion Appalachian State, breaking the Mountaineers' 31-game home win streak.

With his college career over and having graduated in December with a degree in business finance, Foster is now setting his sights on the NFL.

He has been working on speed and agility drills in preparation for Georgia Southern's pro day workouts on Thursday. And defensive players around the Southern Conference are shaking their heads wondering why one of the fastest and most agile players in all of college football needs to work at that.

Foster has been running all winter to keep up with a schedule worthy of a Payton Award winner.

He went to El Paso, TX to compete in the Texas vs the Nation Challenge in February, and was somehow included on the Texas roster. Southern Conference rivals like Appalachian State safety Corey Lynch and guard Kerry Brown found themselves on the opposite team of the elusive Foster once again.

"I was one of the wild cards for the Texas team," said Foster, with an infectious laugh. "I'm just glad that I got to play on the winning team."

At the size of 5-9 and 164 pounds, Foster knows his quarterbacking days are probably over. He was auditioned as a wide receiver and returnman, catching one pass for 22 yards and leaving Lynch sprawling on one tackle attempt as the Texas all-stars won 41-14.

"It was a great experience," said Foster.

Three days later, Foster was honored for his Payton Award at the Georgia State Capitol with resolutions in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

"As someone who represents Georgia Southern University, I am proud to honor Jayson Foster," said state senator Jack Hill, who co-sponsored the resolution.

"It's a tremendous honor to win the Walter Payton Award (and) we are all extremely proud of Jayson. Everything I've heard about Jayson, from professors and others around the university who interacted with him, have said what an outstanding young man he is."

Two days later, Foster was back at Georgia Southern's Hanner Fieldhouse for a men's basketball game against Western Carolina.

The Catamounts were glad that all he did that night was show up to be honored for winning the Payton Award and sign a few autographs. They had seen enough of him on the football field in the previous four years.

Among those showing up to recognize Foster was Adrian Peterson, who welcomed the quarterback into the Payton Award alumni club. Peterson, the most prolific runner in FCS history, won his Payton Award in 1999.

Peterson, a veteran of six seasons as a running back and special teams ace with the Chicago Bears, had plenty of words of wisdom for Foster.

"He told me not to stress out too much about the draft and free agency," Foster said. "He told me to take my time, making sure to pick the right agent. He has been very helpful."

But it isn't like Foster to worry too much about football. He has had interest from teams like the Baltimore Ravens, the New Orleans Saints and the Denver Broncos, and isn't concerned about the likelihood of signing a free-agent contract next month.

Foster also isn't averse to playing in the Canadian Football League, or the Arena Football League, if he doesn't catch on with an NFL team.

He is well aware that another star quarterback from Georgia Southern, Tracy Ham, had an MVP-caliber career in the CFL.

"You've got to keep your options open," said Foster.

Foster figures that one way or another, he will continuing playing football, despite his size.

"I've never had a lack of confidence," he noted, matter-of-factly. "When it all comes down to it, football is football."