D.J. Foster enjoys the moment with his coach John Sanders.
Photo by James Conrad
, the nation's No. 30 recruit, has committed to Arizona State.
Foster chose the Sun Devils over offers from USC, Cal, Arizona and others. He ranks as the nation's No. 4 athlete and is a huge pick-up for new Arizona State head coach Todd Graham.
He made the announcement at a press conference at school Friday morning. He said staying near family and friends, Graham's renowned high-octane offense and the overall "vibe" of the new program were reasons for picking Arizona State.
"Hopefully I can help the program take it to another level," he said. "Everyone seems ready to go to battle."
As a senior, Foster earned
U.S. Air Force All-American honors and was also the Arizona Republic Big School Player of the Year.
Ruth and D.J. Foster
Photo by James Conrad
He carried the ball 234 times for 3,058 yards and 54 touchdowns for
Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) while also hauling in five touchdown receptions.
A
10-touchdown game highlighted Foster's outstanding senior campaign. He became the first Arizona prep player to rush for 500 yards in a game that night - 508 yards on 20 carries.
"I'm looking forward to go on to bigger and better things," Foster said. "I'm really ready for this next chapter in my life."
Though his athletic achievements are many and his coaching staff and teammates rave about Foster's character, life hasn't been easy for the 6-foot, 185-pound standout.
In Aug. 2009, his 19-year-old sister Jennifer died of an accidental drug overdose. Foster was a sophomore.
A framed photo of Jennifer sat on the podium where Friday's announcement took place.
"She and my family are reminders that I'm never going to quit," he said. "To see how my mother and father continue to persevere with what they lost. ... I will keep up that fight in everything I do."
The eyes of the recruiting world will remained fixated on the state of Arizona over the next few weeks.
Andrus Peat and
Davonte Neal, also national-caliber recruits, remain uncommitted.
Arizona State has
little shot to land Neal and is unlikely to nab Peat.
Asked if he had a message to Arizona State fans, Foster said: "Let's go get some Rose Bowl championships."
Senior writer Mitch Stephens contributed to this report.
