Jayson Foster
Encyclopedia
Jayson D. Foster is an American football
wide receiver
for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins
as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football
at Georgia Southern
.
Foster has also been a member of the Denver Broncos
, Pittsburgh Steelers
, Baltimore Ravens
and Florida Tuskers.
for head coach Brian Dameron, Foster rushed for 1,700 yards and passed for 700 yards while accounting for 25 offensive touchdowns as a senior. He was selected as Cherokee County’s ‘Offensive Player of the Year’ and was picked to all-county, all-region and all-state squads in 2002. He was also named Region 6-5A ‘Player of the Year.’ He was named an all-county and all-region (honorable mention) choice as a quarterback in 2001 rushing for 1,200 yards (10.3 ypr) and eight TDs while passing for another three scores. He was voted as the school’s ‘Offensive Player of the Year’ as a sophomore and junior. He garnered all-county and all-region accolades while earning selection as county’s ‘Offensive Player of the Year’ as a sophomore wide receiver netting 884 reception yards and 11 TDs on 42 catches in 2000. He maintained a 3.73 grade point average throughout high school career.
During his Sophomore year, as starting quarterback, Foster set a conference record rushing for a touchdown in all 12 games, the only player in I-AA to accomplish that feat. He rushed for 1,481 yards which was the third-most rushing yards by a quarterback in NCAA I-FCS history. He led the Eagle offense to its fifth straight I-FCS rushing title, averaging 387 yards on the ground and the team ranked sixth nationally in scoring offense (38 ppg) and eighth in passing efficiency and total offense. Individually, he ranked 10th in rushing (123.4 ypg), 55th in total offense, third in scoring (126 points) and 34th in all-purpose yards.
During his Junior year, former Coach Brian VanGorder
switched Foster from quarterback to wide receiver. Nevertheless, Foster was named First Team All-SoCon (wide receiver by the coaches, return specialist by the media association)and Second Team All-SoCon (return specialist as voted by the coaches). He became the only player in school history with at least an 80-yard rush, reception, punt return and kickoff return.
During his senior year, Foster retook the helm at quarterback and led his Eagles to a 7-4 mark and captured the 2007 Walter Payton Award. He was also named the Southern Conference
Offensive Player of the Year. Foster compiled a school record 3,047 yards of total offense, breaking that of College Football Hall of Famer Tracy Ham
.
Foster also ranked second nationally in rushing yards per game (167.6).
He graduated in December 2007 with a degree in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation.
, Foster was signed by the Miami Dolphins
as an undrafted free agent. He was waived by the Dolphins on August 30 during final cuts but was re-signed to the team's practice squad a day later. He was released from the practice squad on September 2.
on October 14, 2008 after the team released defensive end
Jordan Reffett. He was released on November 7 to make room for running back
Justin Vincent
.
on November 26, 2008. He was waived on April 28, 2009.
on May 1, 2009. Foster was released by the Steelers again on June 18, 2009.
on July 28, 2009. He was one of the final cuts on September 5, 2009.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern Eagles football
The Georgia Southern Eagles represent Georgia Southern University in football as part of the Southern Conference under head coach Jeff Monken. The Eagles have won an unprecedented six FCS national championships and eight Southern Conference championships and have produced two Walter Payton Award...
.
Foster has also been a member of the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
and Florida Tuskers.
Early years
A three-year football letterman for Cherokee High School in Canton, GeorgiaCanton, Georgia
Canton is a city in and the county seat of Cherokee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 22,958.-Geography:Canton is located at ....
for head coach Brian Dameron, Foster rushed for 1,700 yards and passed for 700 yards while accounting for 25 offensive touchdowns as a senior. He was selected as Cherokee County’s ‘Offensive Player of the Year’ and was picked to all-county, all-region and all-state squads in 2002. He was also named Region 6-5A ‘Player of the Year.’ He was named an all-county and all-region (honorable mention) choice as a quarterback in 2001 rushing for 1,200 yards (10.3 ypr) and eight TDs while passing for another three scores. He was voted as the school’s ‘Offensive Player of the Year’ as a sophomore and junior. He garnered all-county and all-region accolades while earning selection as county’s ‘Offensive Player of the Year’ as a sophomore wide receiver netting 884 reception yards and 11 TDs on 42 catches in 2000. He maintained a 3.73 grade point average throughout high school career.
College career
Foster was named ‘Freshman of the Year’ by the Southern Conference head coaches. He played in all 12 games starting three times at wide receiver. He was the only Eagle to ever score a touchdown five different ways: rushing, passing, receiving, punt return and kickoff return.During his Sophomore year, as starting quarterback, Foster set a conference record rushing for a touchdown in all 12 games, the only player in I-AA to accomplish that feat. He rushed for 1,481 yards which was the third-most rushing yards by a quarterback in NCAA I-FCS history. He led the Eagle offense to its fifth straight I-FCS rushing title, averaging 387 yards on the ground and the team ranked sixth nationally in scoring offense (38 ppg) and eighth in passing efficiency and total offense. Individually, he ranked 10th in rushing (123.4 ypg), 55th in total offense, third in scoring (126 points) and 34th in all-purpose yards.
During his Junior year, former Coach Brian VanGorder
Brian VanGorder
Brian VanGorder is the current Defensive Coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. He previously was the head coach of Wayne State University, Georgia Southern University and has been as assistant coach under many other universities, most notably the University of Georgia.-Early coaching...
switched Foster from quarterback to wide receiver. Nevertheless, Foster was named First Team All-SoCon (wide receiver by the coaches, return specialist by the media association)and Second Team All-SoCon (return specialist as voted by the coaches). He became the only player in school history with at least an 80-yard rush, reception, punt return and kickoff return.
During his senior year, Foster retook the helm at quarterback and led his Eagles to a 7-4 mark and captured the 2007 Walter Payton Award. He was also named the Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
Offensive Player of the Year. Foster compiled a school record 3,047 yards of total offense, breaking that of College Football Hall of Famer Tracy Ham
Tracy Ham
Tracy Ham is a retired Canadian Football League quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, Baltimore Stallions, and the Montreal Alouettes. He was known for his abilities as a dual threat quarterback...
.
Foster also ranked second nationally in rushing yards per game (167.6).
He graduated in December 2007 with a degree in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation.
Miami Dolphins
After going undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, Foster was signed by the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as an undrafted free agent. He was waived by the Dolphins on August 30 during final cuts but was re-signed to the team's practice squad a day later. He was released from the practice squad on September 2.
First stint with Steelers
Foster was signed to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
on October 14, 2008 after the team released defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Jordan Reffett. He was released on November 7 to make room for running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Justin Vincent
Justin Vincent
Justin Vincent is a former American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
.
Denver Broncos
Foster was signed to the practice squad of the Denver BroncosDenver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on November 26, 2008. He was waived on April 28, 2009.
Second stint with Steelers
Foster was re-signed by the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
on May 1, 2009. Foster was released by the Steelers again on June 18, 2009.
Baltimore Ravens
Foster signed with the Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
on July 28, 2009. He was one of the final cuts on September 5, 2009.