3 things to know about Javon Foster

Get to know the Jaguars’ new additions from draft weekend with our ‘3 things to know’ series.

With the 2024 NFL Draft in the books, it’s time to reflect on how the Jacksonville Jaguars fared. Did Trent Baalke deliver a masterclass, or has he just set the Jags back five years? Truth is, we probably won’t know that for some time. But we can get to know the newest members of the team a little bit better. In the first of a mini-series of deep dives, here are three things to know about Javon Foster, OT, Missouri:

Humble roots steeped in football

A Detroit native, Javon Foster only started playing football late – something a little unusual for a young man in a football-mad city. But Foster literally only put on pads for the first time as a junior in high school, a result of initially attending an underfunded high school that couldn’t provide equipment for a full team and shut down completely in his sophomore year.

The adversity was a blessing; Foster transferred to Westbloomfield High, a football powerhouse in the state. Despite their status, ‘the Lakers’ were struggling as a program when Javon joined. His first season on the field, they allowed more than 100 sacks. Foster vowed to not let that happen again, and dominated as a senior – earning six scholarship offers. He stuck with Missouri after they showed interest in him during his initial struggles, committing to the Tigers – and he never looked back.

Undoubtedly the height of Foster’s college career was last season, where Mizzou won11 games, finished eighth in the nation, and lifted the Cotton Bowl. That bowl game victory saw him go up against Ohio State, the school his father Jerome played for between 1979 and 1982. He is close to both his parents despite his father’s allegiance to the Buckeyes – and Jerome was cheering on OSU in the stands as motivation to his competitive son in what would be the final game of his college career.

After being drafted by the Jaguars, Foster became only the second player from Westbloomfield to make it to the NFL. The other? Eight year veteran linebacker Matthew Judon, who has been to four Pro Bowls across stints with the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots. That’s pretty esteemed company to keep.

The first draft pick to be named from Dublin, Ireland – EVER

For us draftniks obsessed with watching every selection across draft weekend, we have been accustomed to seeing picks made from various locations around the globe – usually from countries that are likely to be hosting NFL games in the very near future. Jags fans will be very familiar with the team’s connections with the United Kingdom after making London their second home since 2013. But with Ireland receiving international marketing rights for a number of franchises this year including the Jaguars, Jacksonville broke ground on day three, becoming the first team ever to make a pick from Dublin.

Javon Foster may be a fourth round draft pick, possibly focusing more on locking down a roster spot to begin with rather than becoming a household name. But should he develop into one of the team’s marquee talents, then perhaps embracing ‘the luck of the Irish’ will become something of a tradition for the Jaguars…

The selection of Foster is the latest event in a series of activities that the NFL teams have hosted on the island of Ireland since being granted the rights to expand their brand and activities for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as part of the NFL’s ‘Global Markets Program. On the same day, the Pittsburgh Steelers made the very first pick from Kerry, selecting Mason McCormick from South Dakota State just minutes after Foster went to the Jags.

The Jaguars will be further reinforcing their ties with Dublin in June as part of an annual player tour, with current stars taking part in a fan event and community activities. And – potential scoop here – with the Steelers rumored to be playing a home game in Ireland’s capital in 2025, there’s a small chance that Jacksonville could be their opponent; Pittsburgh are lined up to play one AFC South team next season, determined by division standings in 2024.

Not just a left tackle

Javon Foster heads to the NFL with plenty of experience. Playing for the Tigers in the ultra-competitive SEC, Foster saw the field 50 times at Missouri, including 41 starts. Out of those starts, 39 of them have come at left tackle, protecting his quarterback’s blind side impeccably for the past three-plus years. In that timespan, Foster has been name a first-team All-SEC, a third-team All-American (both AP), and named to countless watch lists including for the Outland Trophy, Lombardi Award and Joe Moore Award.

With that sort of resume, it was predictable that Foster would attract the attention of the Senior Bowl, who invited him down to Mobile to showcase his talents in front of NFL Draft scouts. Jim Nagy and the coaches down there do a great job putting prospects in positions to show what they can do – and knowing that Foster had great tape at left tackle, decided to challenge him on the right side through drills. Despite the lack of experience, the new Jag balled out against some of the best talent in this draft class – including first round teammate Darius Robinson (see the post thread above).

If there’s one thing we know about Trent Baalke, it’s how much he appreciates versatility on the offensive line – probably borne out of necessity considering the multitude of injuries and suspensions in that group the last couple of years. Javon Foster may be a project that the team will hoping to be able to develop into Cam Robinson’s eventual successor at left tackle, but until that happens it appears he has the ability to help out at other spots if needed.