Good News For Robert Foster Medical Redshirt Request

On Tuesday afternoon, the Marshall Thundering Herd received word that offensive tackle Clint Van Horn has been cleared to return for a sixth season this fall after missing most of the 2015 season due to injury. This news bodes well for Alabama receiver Robert Foster. Both players played less than 10 quarters in the 2015 season.

herdzone.com in reference to Van Horn:

He played the first two games this season – against Purdue and at Ohio – and was injured for the first time in the latter, but finished the game. After missing wins over Norfolk State and Kent State, Van Horn returned for the C-USA opener against Old Dominion.

He lasted less than a half before the pain in his right upper chest became intolerable.

Van Horn is a 23-year old senior who was in the same initial recruiting class as Cyrus Kouandjio and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Having greyshirted in 2011, he was put on scholarship the next year and played in 11 games. He became a starter in his sophomore year and was voted All-Conference USA in 2013 and 2014.

Foster redshirted 2013 and then saw game action in the next season. This past season, he was named a starter for the Crimson Tide and tallied 10 catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury in the second quarter of the Ole Miss game - the third game of the season.

Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty had a similar case as well. He was injured in the third game of his redshirt freshman year and was allowed to reboot, giving him six seasons with the Hilltoppers.

While Foster is not looking for a sixth year just yet, it would appear that the Van Horn ruling would allow Foster to get his sophomore season back. There is no telling what his future has in store for him. Perhaps he will blow up this year, become an All-American, and turn pro. But if not, it would be nice for Tide fans to have him back for the next three seasons.