DeMeco Ryans earned All-State honors at Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, received unanimous All-American recognition and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2005 at Alabama, won the 2006 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and went to two Pro Bowls.
And Ryans said Reuben Foster "is a much better player than I was."
In his first season as the San Francisco 49ers' inside linebackers coach, Ryans has the opportunity to work closely with Foster -- now that the NFL team has put the former Alabama All-American back on the practice field.