Horned Frogs First Person: Josh Foster
10/6/2023 8:26:00 AM | Football
Veteran safety proud of how far he's come in his 5 years at TCU
(as told to Lily Margaret Greenway)
I had hoped for an offer from TCU ever since I visited for TCU Football's Junior Day and knew immediately it was where I wanted to be. I was in my high school algebra class when I got the phone call from my future coaches. I stepped out into the hall to talk with them and as soon as I hung up, I called my mom and told her I was going to play football at TCU!
I struggled a lot during my first year here. I never had to study or prepare for classes in high school, so my grades took a hit when I first came to TCU. I was overwhelmed, being a small-town guy in a big new city, and I wasn't ready for the new pace and commitment needed for my academics. My parents always supported me and encouraged me to stick with it, and so did my teammates.
When I first joined the team, I didn't talk to anyone but my cousin – who I'd played football with since our pee-wee days – because at my core, I'm an introvert. The older players took me under their wing and helped me work harder on the field and in the classroom. They even brought out a different extroverted side of me, and I think it still surprises my teammates to see me jumping around and hollering sometimes! But that's what happens when you're around the right people – the people who know you. In those early days, I didn't think it would be possible for me to finish college, but my incredible support system got me all the way to my graduation this past spring.
I've matured a lot over the years I have spent at TCU, and a lot of that has to do with my faith. Throughout college, I realized the importance of my relationship with God. When I drifted away from Him, I found myself in places I didn't want to be, but every time I focused on Him, things got better. My parents taught me to put my faith in God and the purpose He has for my life, and trust that His will for me can overcome everything. When I didn't have as much playing time as I wanted, or I was discouraged after a rough practice, I had the mindset to do what I needed to do to get back on the field, and focus on controlling what I could control.
My faith is always my biggest priority, but second to that is my family and my community back home. A lot of athletes have made it out of our little town, but knowing that people at home look up to me inspires me to be the best person and athlete I can be. I get texts all the time from my people back home, and it surprises me how many people I didn't even realize are watching and cheering me on.
Last year really changed my mindset and helped me gain back confidence in how we can perform as a team, and that energy definitely carried over into this season. I have grown from the kid who would not talk to anyone during the first weeks of camp into the older guy helping the freshman and newcomers in their transition from high school to college. I talk with them whenever they are down about their classes or playing time, and guide them through those transitions. We all have a role to play on this team, and working to help them realize that motivates me to work harder, too.
I had hoped for an offer from TCU ever since I visited for TCU Football's Junior Day and knew immediately it was where I wanted to be. I was in my high school algebra class when I got the phone call from my future coaches. I stepped out into the hall to talk with them and as soon as I hung up, I called my mom and told her I was going to play football at TCU!
I struggled a lot during my first year here. I never had to study or prepare for classes in high school, so my grades took a hit when I first came to TCU. I was overwhelmed, being a small-town guy in a big new city, and I wasn't ready for the new pace and commitment needed for my academics. My parents always supported me and encouraged me to stick with it, and so did my teammates.
When I first joined the team, I didn't talk to anyone but my cousin – who I'd played football with since our pee-wee days – because at my core, I'm an introvert. The older players took me under their wing and helped me work harder on the field and in the classroom. They even brought out a different extroverted side of me, and I think it still surprises my teammates to see me jumping around and hollering sometimes! But that's what happens when you're around the right people – the people who know you. In those early days, I didn't think it would be possible for me to finish college, but my incredible support system got me all the way to my graduation this past spring.
I've matured a lot over the years I have spent at TCU, and a lot of that has to do with my faith. Throughout college, I realized the importance of my relationship with God. When I drifted away from Him, I found myself in places I didn't want to be, but every time I focused on Him, things got better. My parents taught me to put my faith in God and the purpose He has for my life, and trust that His will for me can overcome everything. When I didn't have as much playing time as I wanted, or I was discouraged after a rough practice, I had the mindset to do what I needed to do to get back on the field, and focus on controlling what I could control.
My faith is always my biggest priority, but second to that is my family and my community back home. A lot of athletes have made it out of our little town, but knowing that people at home look up to me inspires me to be the best person and athlete I can be. I get texts all the time from my people back home, and it surprises me how many people I didn't even realize are watching and cheering me on.
Last year really changed my mindset and helped me gain back confidence in how we can perform as a team, and that energy definitely carried over into this season. I have grown from the kid who would not talk to anyone during the first weeks of camp into the older guy helping the freshman and newcomers in their transition from high school to college. I talk with them whenever they are down about their classes or playing time, and guide them through those transitions. We all have a role to play on this team, and working to help them realize that motivates me to work harder, too.
Frogs in a Pod: Episode 4
Tuesday, April 28
TCU FB | Sonny Dykes Spring Practice Closing Press Conference
Tuesday, April 21
TCU FB | Sonny Dykes Spring Practice Week 3 Press Conference
Saturday, April 11
TCU FB | Sonny Dykes Spring Practice Week 2 Press Conference
Friday, April 03
