Mason Foster

Mason Foster (born March 1, 1989) is a former American football linebacker.

Foster attended Seaside High School, where he played for the Seaside Spartans high school football team, leading them to a 12-1 overall record, a 5-0 league record, a Monterey Bay league title, and the CIF Central Coast Section small school championship in 2006.

Foster led a defense that allowed just six points per game during the regular season and recorded four shutouts, as well as taking over at quarterback midway through the season.

Foster was named the Monterey County player of the year by the Monterey Herald, defensive player of the year by the Salinas Californian, an All-Central Coast Section first-team linebacker by the San Jose Mercury News, and CalHiSports all-state first-team for 2006.

He was ranked the No. 68 linebacker recruit in the country by Rivals.com.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Foster was listed as the No. 68 outside linebacker in the nation in 2007.

As a true freshman in 2007, Foster played in all 13 games, starting four games including three at weakside linebacker and one at middle linebacker.

As a sophomore in 2008, Foster started all 12 at one outside linebacker spot, leading the Pac-10 Conference in tackles per game with 8.75 and topped the University of Washington Huskies with 12.0 tackles for a loss.

Foster earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 as well as being named the Huskies' team MVP (Defense).

As a junior in 2009, Foster started all 12 of the Huskies' games at one linebacker spot, finishing second on the team with 85 total tackles while leading the Pac-10 with six forced fumbles.

Named honorable mention All-Pac-10 as well as The Sporting News All-Pac-10 first-team.

As a senior in 2010, Foster started all 13 of the Huskies' games at linebacker, recording 162 tackles (12.46/gm) finishing second in FBS.

Foster was named an All-American.

He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

He played college football at Washington.

He has also been a member of the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins.

Earned Defensive MVP honors for the 2011 Holiday Bowl in a win over Nebraska.

Was invited to, and played in the 2011 Senior Bowl.

Prior to the Senior Bowl, Foster was projected to be a third or fourth round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts.

On January 29, 2011, Foster played in the 2011 Senior Bowl and raised his draft stock after an impressive performance.

He attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and was considered to be a top performer among his position group.

On March 31, 2011, Foster attended Washington's pro day and chose to run to the 40-yard dash (4.74s), 20-yard dash (2.73s), 10-yard dash (1.62s), vertical jump (30.5"), short shuttle (4.48s), and three-cone drill (7.14s). At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Foster was projected to be a third or fourth round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the tenth best outside linebacker prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Foster in the third round (84th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Foster was the 11th outside linebacker drafted in 2011.

On July 29, 2011, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Foster to a four-year, $2.78 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $525,000.

Throughout training camp, Foster competed to be the starting middle linebacker against Tyrone McKenzie.

His development and conversion to middle linebacker was delayed due to the 2011 NFL lockout.

On August 24, 2011, Foster was fined $20,000 for a hit he delivered to Chad Ochocinco during the Buccaneers' 31–14 loss to the New England Patriots in their second preseason game.

Ochocinco offered to pay the fine for him, as he disagreed with the league's decision, but the league stated that he would not be able to.

Head coach Raheem Morris named Foster the starting middle linebacker to begin the regular season after he had an impressive showing during the preseason.

He made his professional regular season debut in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' season-opener against the Detroit Lions and recorded seven combined tackles in their 27–20 loss.

On September 18, 2011, Foster made his first career start and collected a season-high ten combined tackles (seven solo), forced a fumble, and made his first career sack during a 24–20 victory at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2.

Foster made his first career sack on Vikings' quarterback Donovan McNabb for a six-yard loss in the second quarter.

In Week 14, he recorded six combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception in the Buccaneers' 41–14 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Foster made his first career interception off a pass by Jaguars' quarterback Blaine Gabbert, that was originally intended for tight end Marcedes Lewis, in the endzone to secure a touchback during the third quarter.

He finished his rookie season in 2011 with 84 combined tackles (58 solo), two pass deflections, two sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception in 16 games and 15 starts.

On January 2, 2012, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired head coach Raheem Morris after they finished the 2011 season with a 4–12 record.

Foster entered training camp as the starting middle linebacker and saw competition from Adam Hayward after defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan chose to try Foster out as an outside linebacker.

Head coach Greg Schiano named Foster the starting middle linebacker to begin the regular season, alongside outside linebackers Quincy Black and Lavonte David.

On September 16, 2012, Foster collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (12 solo), a pass deflection, and an interception during a 41–34 loss at the New York Giants in Week 2.