Student-Athlete Spotlight Jayson Foster
10/24/2007 4:27:00 AM | Football
by: Brent Waugh
Georgia Southern quarterback Jayson Foster continues to lead his team both on and off the field. The senior from Canton, Ga. ranks in the top 20 nationally in yards per game, scoring, total offense, and all-purpose yards.
In September, Foster was named the Southern Conference ?Offensive Player of the Month' for the second time in his career. And, The Sports Network recently placed Foster on its watch list for the Walter Payton Award which goes to the top player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
“Everyone can see what Jayson can do,” said offensive lineman Russell Orr. “He can be a quarterback, receiver, run back punts; whatever he's playing he's going to be great at. And, he's the same on the field as he is off the field, just a great guy.”
Foster says he enjoys playing these multiple positions ? from being the holder to returning punts to playing quarterback, he's glad to help the team in any way possible.
“When they call your number, you want to go out there and do the best you can,” Foster said.
“What he does on the field speaks volumes,” head coach Chris Hatcher said. “But, better yet, he's a great person ? he's a great leader. He's a very fun, exciting player to watch.”
Foster has already garnered numerous awards and achievements for his outstanding play this year ? from being named SoCon ?Offensive Player of the Month' to scoring a GSU record-tying six rushing touchdowns against Coastal Carolina. But, it's not about awards or statistics for Foster. He says his ultimate goal is for his team to succeed.
And he attributes much of this year's success to the upbeat nature of first-year head coach Chris Hatcher. “The people love him, the community loves him and the team loves him,” Foster said. “And, he's fun to be around, so you're going to laugh a lot.”
Foster has always enjoyed the traditions and the rich history of Georgia Southern football ? it's part of the reason he chose GSU. He says he is glad coach Hatcher has revived many of them, especially his favorite ? arriving to home games in the yellow school buses popularized by former Eagle coach Erk Russell.
“When we come up to the stadium it seems like the people and the fans are pretty pumped about us coming in on the buses,” he said. “I think that tradition's going to live on here for a long time.”
And, the senior quarterback hopes he can continue another tradition at Georgia Southern ? winning championships.
“To win a championship is the main goal,” Foster said. “I think we have a chance to make it all the way. We have to execute on offense and stay healthy and we will have a
good shot at it.”
