Piedmont, AL – Former Piedmont standout Foster realizing potential at Louisiana Tech, eyes Conference USA showdown with Jax State.
By Joe Medley
Jakari Foster answers challenges.
The former Piedmont defensive back and wide receiver did it in the 2019 Class 3A state title game, when his then-coach noted a coverage miss and a slip and fall on what could’ve been a touchdown pass.
“I told him at halftime, ‘Son, big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games,’” then-Piedmont coach Steve Smith recalled this week. “‘If you’re ever going to be a big-time player, now sure would be a good time to make one.
“He just smiled and said,, ‘Yes sir.’”
History records that Foster caught the game-winning touchdown pass fromJack Hayes, completing Piedmont’s rally from a 10-0 halftime deficit to beat Mobile Christian.
Now, Foster answers the challenge of Football Bowl Subdivision.
The junior defensive back has broken through to for playing time at Louisiana Tech, which plays host to Jacksonville State in Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. Conference USA game in Ruston, La.
He’s made plays, including an interception against Sam Houston State and a key fourth-down stop on the way to 11 tackles in the Bulldogs’ 14-10 victory over UTEP.
Foster’s journey from Piedmont, to Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College and Louisiana Tech has led him to where he wanted to be … playing in the 85-scholarship set known as FBS.
“It’s going pretty good,” Foster said. “I struggled in spring, worked my way up in the summer, and had a good fall camp.
“Some days, I struggle, but I try to always find a positive way to get out of it. They treat me good.”
Foster has appeared in all eight games in his first season with Tech, with 14 tackles an an interception. He’s just starting to realize his potential, Smith said.
“I am so excited for Jakari,” said Smith, who just finished his second season as Westbrook Christian’s head coach after coaching Piedmont to five state titles in 17 seasons. “Jakari Foster is one of my all-time favorites. I love him to death.
“He’s just realizing all of the potential that we all saw in Jakari over the years.”
Foster comes from a talented family. Brother DeAngelo plays basketball at Stillman College, and brother Omar Foster plays football at Delta State. All left their marks at Piedmont.
Jakari Foster was a first-team all-state defensive back in 2019 and 2020. He’s most remembered for his biggest moment as a receiver, catching Hayes’ 17-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds left in the Bulldogs’ 26-24 victory over Mobile Christian in the 2019 3A final in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Smith doesn’t play many two-way players, just the ones he needs on the field when he needs his best 11. Foster was one of those special players who starred on defense but returned kicks for touchdowns and saw time on offense when most needed.
Foster didn’t play much on offense that season but had to play more when Ethan Swinford suffered a high-ankle sprain.
In the 2019 title game, Piedmont needed Foster and defensive linemen Sean Smith and Bryson Ingram to play offense to counter Mobile Christian’s successful first-half approach on defense.
As for the decisive touchdown, Foster came ready for his moment.
“He looked over at me and said, ‘Coach, I can get by that guy,’” Smith said. “I said, ‘I’m going to trust you.’
“We called a play to get him by that guy, and he did.”
Foster now uses that mindset in hopes of earning more and more trust from Tech coach Sonny Cumbie’s staff. His big game against UTEP won him a text from Smith.
“He texted me after the UTEP game and told me I played pretty good, him and some of the coaches at Piedmont,” Foster said.
As for Tech’s looming game with Jax State, the Gamecocks (5-3, 4-0 CUSA) sit tied with Western Kentucky for first place. Tech (3-5, 2-3) needs to win three of its last four games for bowl eligibility.
“They’re pretty good,” Foster said. “They’re a tempo team. They’ve got a good running back, Tre Stewart and another running back, Avery, and they’re good downhill runners. Their quarterback (Tyler Huff) is not really scared to put his head in there, and neither is Tre.
“We have a good game plan, and we just go out and play our game.”
Foster said he expects 15-20 family members will attend the game in Joe Aillet Stadium.
“It’s pretty nice,” Foster said. “I was talking to a lot of guys about it, playing the team from back home.”
