STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 14: Reuben Foster #10 and Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide react after they recovered a fumble by Ashton Shumpert #32 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Former NFL scout says surprising player is Nick Saban's 'best linebacker prospect' ever

Saban has had three linebackers drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Nick Saban has churned out some incredible defensive talent since he took over as the coach at Alabama and that includes three NFL first round linebackers since 2010 (out of a total of 19). He might have yet another first rounder this year in Reuben Foster. In fact, former college football and NFL scout Chris Landry says Foster could be the best of them all.

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Landry made quite the comparison for Foster to another elite SEC linebacker that did pretty well for himself in the pros.

"Foster may be the best linebacker prospect that Nick Saban has had at Alabama. Foster has the elite athleticism that I saw from Patrick (Willis) coming out of Ole Miss. He possesses great pursuit speed and change of direction, allowing him to play with great range in pursuit and cover running backs and tight ends as well as slot receivers. He also shows good strength to take on the run."

Foster had recent surgery on his right rotator cuff, and while he will be at next week's NFL Scouting Combine, he will not go through the testing portion of the event. That might cause him to fall in the draft, but NFL.com's latest mock draft has Foster still going at No. 9 to Cincinnati.

[h/t Gridiron Now]