SportsDesk Fall Athlete to Watch: Artrel Foster

In 2015, Temple’s secondary stood out from the pack in several facets. The unit led the American Athletic Conference in pass defense efficiency, opponent third down percentage, and opponent first downs. This led to a 10-2 regular season record and an eventual AAC East division title.

Foster breaks up a pass in the 2015 AAC Championship game. // Credit: zimbio.com
Foster breaks up a pass in the 2015 AAC Championship game. // Credit: zimbio.com

Heading into 2016, that group is almost completely dismantled after losing three seniors in Tavon Young, Will Hayes and Alex Wells, leaving Sean Chandler as the only returning starter.

Redshirt Junior Artrel Foster is one of the Owls defensive backs who will look to keep the Owl’s secondary up to par heading in to next season.

Prior to the Owls 10-win 2015 season Foster told OwlSports.com, “I knew this offseason I had to work really hard, because I know I’m going to have to play this year.”

He was right.

This past season, Foster got his number called to see action in the Temple secondary for 7 games- filling in for Will Hayes and Alex Wells at both safety positions.

Foster is no stranger to in-game action, as he has appeared in every game for Matt Rhule in two consecutive seasons as a part of the special team’s unit. After being redshirted as a freshman, he hasn’t missed any action. His special teams play is highlighted with a 15 yard touchdown from a punt block vs. Delaware State in 2014- just his 3rd collegiate game of his career.

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Foster celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against Delaware state in week 3 (2014). // Credit: philly.com 
In Foster’s 7 games on defense last season, the Temple secondary allowed just 6 touchdown passes.
Although Foster filled in specifically at the safety position, he is a true utility defensive back- as he played CB during his time at Meadville High School in northwest Pennsylvania.
Foster was a 4-year varsity starter at RB and CB for coach Mike Feleppa, tallying over 4,000 all-purpose yards on offense to go along with 130 tackles and 6 INT’s on defense. During his junior and senior year at Meadville, Foster was awarded first-team all region on defense and second team for offense both seasons.
This production yielded interest from schools in addition to Temple- such as Eastern Michigan, Youngstown State, and Duquesne.
Three years later, Foster will be considered a veteran on an Owls secondary who has proven to produce in past years- but will have to do so this season with pressure on young players to step up.
About Vince Coll 68 Articles
Temple 2019 | Journalism Major | Football Enthusiast | Temple Basketball Manager

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