Bryce Foster ready for challenge from Texas Tech line

Bryce Foster is coming off what coaches called his best game of the season, a strong showing against the UCF defensive line. As the Jayhawks prepare for a physical matchup with Texas Tech, Foster said he wants to continue his play and get ready for a challenging game against the Red Raiders.

Foster said the UCF game marked a turning point for him after looking over his previous performances.  

“Yeah, I think I definitely made a jump,” Foster said. “I think whenever I sat down and kind of looked at myself and saw what needed to be changed and made those changes in practice habits, I think they really reflected in the game, especially this past week.”

The Kansas offensive staff saw the same thing. Offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski praised Foster’s performance, calling it his best game this season. Foster agreed, saying he went into the game after a good week of practice.

“I came in with a lot more confidence just based off the week of practice that I had,” he said. “Coming off the field Wednesday and Thursday, I felt like I had my two best practices again up to this point. I was super excited to go play. I knew what the weather was going to be like in Florida, a little humid, a little bit rainy so my mind was already set and ready for any scenario that was to happen.”

Facing Texas Tech’s DL

With the confidence from UCF, Foster now turns his attention to Texas Tech, who will field one of the best defensive lines the Jayhawks have faced. He said the Red Raiders are sound and present a strong challenge.

“They’re a big group,” Foster said. “They’re good at a lot of things, not really bad at a lot of things, but they’re good. We’re excited for the challenge this week. We’ve played a handful of pretty good D-lines and boxes so far, and so we’re just ready for our next challenge.”

One player Foster will see plenty of is Lee Hunter, Texas Tech’s 6-foot-4, 330-pound defensive lineman who transferred from UCF. Foster said he’s been watching Hunter on film and looks forward to the matchup.

“He’s a big, strong guy,” Foster said. “I know he played at UCF a couple of years ago, and Kobe (Baynes) actually played against him. I asked him a little bit about what he thought, and I’m probably going to text some of the older guys who were here when they played him to kind of see what their thoughts are. I know he plays a lot head up at nose, and so I’m definitely going to have my hands full, but I’m excited for the challenge.”

SEC prepared Foster for the Big 12

Before coming to Kansas, Foster played in the SEC, where he faced some of the best defensive lines in college football. He said that experience gives him confidence every time he lines up against a high-level opponent.

“I kind of look at my whole career, I came from the SEC, and anytime I get nervous to play somebody, it’s not an unconfident nervous,” Foster said. “It’s like I’m excited nervous because I look back at my career and I’m like, man, I played against the Alabama’s. I played against all those teams who have had guys that are that good, that are legit. It’s not like a first time for me going against somebody of this caliber.”

He still remembers some of those early lessons playing against talented players up front. That includes the first time he played in his first SEC game.

“It was my first SEC game ever and I got my butt whipped in the first half pretty bad against Arkansas,” Foster said with a laugh. “I think his nickname was the Vanilla Gorilla. I remember him pretty vividly. Then in the second half, I kind of turned it up a little bit and started figuring myself out.”

He recalled a similar game against LSU where the same thing happened. He played against Neil Farrell, who was a fourth round draft pick.

“There was another guy from LSU my very first year, I think his last name was Farrell,” he said. “Same thing kind of happened that game. First half I was getting my butt kicked, and then the second half I kind of pulled it together. I was like, all right, I’ve got to figure it out now.”

He expects tonight’s game to be physical and Hunter will present a good challenge. But his experience from the past has prepared him for playing in the Big 12.

“I’ve played against guys that are really good, really big, really strong,” Foster said. “So, this is just another one of those challenges that I’m ready to attack.”