Reuben Foster Has a Message for Alabama’s 2025 Team: “Make It Mean Something”

Reuben Foster knows what it means to wear the crimson and white. As a former All-American linebacker and Butkus Award winner, he was a key part of Alabama’s dominant defenses under Nick Saban. Now, years after his college career, Foster still keeps a close eye on the program that helped shape him, and he has a message for the 2025 Alabama team:

“Make it mean something.”

With Alabama heading into its first season under head coach Kalen DeBoer, Foster wants the new generation of Crimson Tide players to understand what’s at stake. His words come at a time when the program is undergoing major changes, with a new coaching staff, a different offensive system, and the challenge of maintaining Alabama’s championship standard in the modern era of college football.

A New Era: Life After Saban

For the first time in almost two decades, Alabama enters a season without Nick Saban at the helm. The legendary coach’s retirement in January 2024 sent shockwaves through the college football world, and while DeBoer has been widely respected for his offensive mind, there are questions about whether he can uphold Alabama’s championship expectations.

Foster, who played under Saban from 2013 to 2016, knows exactly what made Alabama special during his time there.

“It’s not just about talent. Alabama always had talent. But it was the mindset, the standard, the way we worked. If this team wants to be great, they have to understand that.”

Foster is reminding the current Alabama players that success at Alabama has never been just about stars next to a recruit’s name. It’s about commitment, toughness, and leadership—qualities that made Alabama the gold standard of college football.

What Foster Sees in This Team

Despite the coaching transition, Alabama is still loaded with talent heading into 2025.

Defensive Strength

• The linebacker corps, a position group Foster knows well, is expected to be one of the team’s strengths.
• Deontae Lawson, who has emerged as a leader, will be tasked with continuing Alabama’s tradition of dominant linebackers.
• Several young players, including Jihaad Campbell and Justin Jefferson, are expected to step up.

Foster believes this group has the potential to be special, but only if they approach the season the right way.

“Alabama defenses don’t just happen. You have to build it, day by day, practice by practice.”

Offensive Adjustments

With DeBoer bringing a new offensive philosophy to Tuscaloosa, the Tide will look different than they have in years past. The fast-paced, spread attack will be a major shift from the pro-style offense that defined the Saban era.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe returns as the leader of the offense, but Foster believes the defensive unit needs to set the tone, just as past Alabama teams did.

“You can win championships with offense, but defense still wins games when it matters. The 2016 defense I was on—we weren’t just stopping people, we were taking the ball and scoring. That’s what Alabama needs to get back to.”

Lessons from 2016: A Blueprint for 2025

Foster played on one of the greatest defenses in Alabama history during the 2016 season, a unit that featured:

• Jonathan Allen (SEC Defensive Player of the Year)
• Minkah Fitzpatrick (First-Team All-American)
• Marlon Humphrey (First-Round NFL Pick)
• Ronnie Harrison, Tim Williams, and Ryan Anderson

That defense wasn’t just great—it was dominant. They scored 11 defensive touchdowns, terrorized opposing quarterbacks, and carried Alabama to the national championship game.

What Made That Team Different?

According to Foster, it wasn’t just the talent—it was the mentality.

“We practiced harder than we played in games. We held each other accountable. If somebody took a play off, you heard about it.”

He wants the 2025 Alabama team to bring back that same level of discipline and intensity.

Responding to Doubters

For the first time in years, Alabama enters the season with uncertainty. With a new coaching staff, the dominance that defined the Saban era is no longer guaranteed. Rival programs like Georgia, Michigan, and Texas are eager to claim the throne that Alabama occupied for so long.

Foster sees the doubters and embraces the challenge.

“People are saying Alabama’s run is over. If I was on that team, that would piss me off. They need to take it personally.”

He knows how powerful a motivated Alabama team can be. The best Alabama teams under Saban always had a chip on their shoulder—whether it was after a national championship loss or because analysts started doubting them.

“The moment you stop playing like you have something to prove is the moment you stop being Alabama.”

Foster wants this year’s team to bring back that fire.

Final Message: “Make It Mean Something”

Reuben Foster’s message is clear: Alabama football is bigger than any one player, coach, or season. It’s about a standard that has been built over decades.

With 2025 set to be a defining season in Alabama’s future, Foster wants the players in that locker room to understand what’s at stake.

“When you wear that jersey, you represent every player who came before you. You represent the guys who built this program. You represent the fans who bleed for this team. You don’t just play for yourself—you play for something bigger.”

His challenge to the 2025 Alabama team is simple: Don’t let the dynasty slip away. Keep the standard. Keep the mindset. And most importantly—make it mean something.