re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

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The Schools: Auburn, Alabama

How it all went down: Reuben Foster’s recruitment was so filled with drama that when Signing Day came in 2013, many expected another twist.

Foster had already flipped from Alabama to Auburn once during the process, and during his time as a Tigers commit he got a large tattoo of the Auburn logo to commemorate the occasion. Following his junior year of high school at Troup County in Georgia, Foster even moved across the state line to attend Auburn High School, a move that only seemed to further solidify his position with the Tigers.

However, head coach Gene Chizik was fired in the fall of 2012, leading to Foster’s eventual decommitment. He took an official visit to Auburn the weekend before Signing Day, only to leave a day early and unofficially visit Alabama just four days until he had to sign his Letter of Intent. A day after visiting Tuscaloosa, Foster announced his intentions to sign with Alabama, but with two days before Signing Day many in Auburn, including the Tigers' coaching staff, held out hopes that things might change during a press conference at his high school when he would actually put pen to paper.

Foster dispelled those notions by coming out in a Nick Saban-themed Alabama outfit, officially signing with Tide and wrapping up a recruitment that will be remembered for years to come.

Local memories: "I certainly didn't expect Foster to back away from his commitment to the Tigers after he put ink on his forearm with the Auburn logo. The door opened when Chizik was fired and Trooper Taylor was not retained by new coach Gus Malzahn. I was at the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Classic and it was the final year where coaches could attend. I saw the interaction between Foster and Kirby Smart. I knew Bama had a chance based on their relationship. He took his official visit to Alabama and after some other visits traveled to Auburn the final weekend before Signing Day. When he left Auburn during the visit to return to Tuscaloosa, I knew it was over and Bama would sign the five-star linebacker." – Andrew Bone, TideSports.com

National reaction: Foster’s flip, combined with his tattoo, garnered so much media attention that even President Obama mentioned it when congratulating Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome after the Ravens won the Super Bowl. After discussing the game, Obama then talked Alabama football with the Crimson Tide alum.

"You guys just got another draft pick down there. A guy who already tattooed Auburn on his arm and then decided to go to Alabama instead,” Obama said.

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