Every year the NFL has another new breakout running back, a guy that everyone should’ve known about but refused to notice the potential.
Want to know where to find the next Arian Foster? Look no further than State College, Pa., and D.C.’s own Evan Royster.
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When draft time comes around next spring, he’s likely to be knocked for having an average time in the 40 instead of being complimented for being an outstanding athlete with very few weaknesses. Who else shared those attributes and went undrafted 2009? Yep, Foster.
Royster’s career at Penn State also will be remembered the same the way as Foster’s at Tennessee, as an overwhelming success.
Foster left Rocky Top as the Volunteers’ second all-time leading rusher (2,964 yards) and third in all-purpose yards (3,880). Last weekend, Royster ran for 150 yards against Michigan, registering the third 100-yard game of his career against the Wolverines. But more importantly, he became the Nittany Lions’ all-time leading rusher with 3,518 yards, breaking Curt Warner‘s mark of 3,398 yards, which had stood since 1982.
It remains to be seen whether Royster will be overlooked like Foster come April — ESPN.com lists him as the 18th best running back with an overall grade of just 54. But he’ll be hard to miss when he gets a veritable send-off match from a hometown crown on Nov. 20, when Penn State “visits” Indiana at FedEx Field.
