It’s no secret that the lead-up to the 2017 NFL Draft wasn’t great for former Alabama LB Reuben Foster.

Though Foster was still selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 31 overall pick in the first round, he was seen by many as a top-10 talent, but a failed drug test at the NFL Combine and an injured shoulder caused his stock to fall.

However, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said the 49ers got a good value when they picked Foster so low and explained why he believes his former star linebacker can find a similar level of success at the next level.

In a phone interview with 49ers.com, Saban said he thinks the 49ers have the right organizational structure in place to keep Foster focused and successful in the NFL:

“I think the important thing for Reuben is he’s a great person,” Saban says. “I’ve got a great relationship with him. He did extremely well in our program, which has a lot of structure, so I think organizations that are really willing to invest in relationships with players, you know, to help them navigate the future and doing the right things and making good choices and decisions are the kinds of organizations that are, long term, going to be the most successful.

“But they’re also the kinds of organizations I think Reuben will thrive in, and I think [GM] John [Lynch] and [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] are willing to do that.”

Obviously, only time will tell what kind of player Foster develops into, but one thing is for sure — if he stays on the field and avoids injuries and suspensions, he has the talent to be a leader for the San Francisco defense for years to come.