BeaversEdge Top 25 For 2025: No. 7 Dexter Foster

On3 image — Oregon State Beavers linebacker Dexter Foster (55) takes down Idaho State Bengals running back Dason Brooks (28) during the second half on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.

In the months leading up to the start of fall camp, BeaversEdge.com will be counting down the Top 25 Oregon State football players on the 2025 roster. Want to give your two cents on the rankings? Subscribe to BeaversEdge.com to join The Dam Board and weigh in on the conversation. We continue with inside linebacker Dexter Foster, who checks in at No. 7.

Dexter Foster

Inside Linebacker

Bio

No. 7

6-foot-3, 224-pounds

Sophomore

Portland, Ore.

Central Catholic

2024 (FRESHMAN)
• Played in all 12 games
• Tallied 43 tackles with two tackles for loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries
• Finished with a season-high 13 tackles at Air Force
• Posted five tackles three times, including in the season finale at Boise State
• Finished with a 10-yard sack and four tackles in the double overtime win over Colorado State
• Finished with half a tackle for loss in games against Nevada and California
• Recorded at least one tackle in 11 of his 12 games, and at least two in nine of the 12
• Picked up his first career tackle in the season opener versus Idaho State, finishing with two

CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
• Rated three stars by Rivals.com
• Letterwinner for head coach Steve Pyne
• Led Central Catholic to a 13-0 record and state championship as a senior
• Totaled 49 tackles as a senior
• Added 14.5 tackles for loss with 6.5 sacks, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, a blocked punt and a blocked field goal
• Attended Roosevelt High School his junior season

Foster 2024 Recap

Arguably the most impressive true freshman a season ago, Dexter Foster wasted little time getting his collegiate career off the ground. Even though the Beavers had solid starters in Melvin Jordan and Isaiah Chisom on the inside, Foster carving out a defined role and jumping up the depth chart was impressive.

He played in all 12 games, starting four, and finished with 43 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and two quarterback hurries. He finished with the fifth-most tackles on defense and played the third-most snaps at inside linebacker (349) and 11th-most overall. The experience was invaluable for Foster, and considering how effective he was as just a freshman, his ceiling remains high. As far as true-freshman expecations go, Foster exceeded them, and that should have fans very excited for what’s to come in his career.

Foster 2025 Outlook

Entering the 2025 campaign, Foster is poised to be one of the Beavers’ starters at inside linebacker. With Melvin Jordan and Isaiah Chisom hitting the transfer portal, that left two open starting positions at ILB, and Foster looks to fit in quite well. We saw the Beavers run largely a three-man rotation at ILB last season, and if that follows similarly this year, expect Foster, USC transfer Raesjon Davis, and Makiya Tongue to see the most action.

The most exciting part about Foster is that even as a sophomore, he has the potential to be the best guy in the room. He has standout athleticism, delivers powerful hits, shows good instincts in coverage, and has a high football IQ, all really good things you’re looking for in an ILB. Look for Foster to build upon his strong rookie year and be in the mix to lead the team in tackles and be a focal point of the defensive attack.