Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster celebrates with teammate Jadin Harrell after the defense forced and recovered a fumble by Free State during the football edition of the City Showdown on Oct. 24 at Lawrence High School.

When the Lawrence High football season concluded at the end of October, senior Devin Foster and more than a few of his teammates found themselves quickly switching gears to prepare for the upcoming season of boys basketball.

But of that group of Lions who played both sports, Foster stood alone as the only one of those Lions who would still suit up for one more game on the gridiron this year.

Foster recently shared the spotlight with other top Native American high school athletes at the 2025 Native All-American football game.

Foster, a member of the Pueblo de Cochiti Tribe, was among 70 prep athletes selected for the showcase event, held Sunday at the Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

“Just being able to go up there and represent my tribe and my school was awesome,” Foster said.

A 6-foot-1 260 pound interior lineman, Foster lined up on both sides of the ball while helping to lead his side to a 27-15 victory. Foster started at right tackle and also played roughly half the defensive snaps as an edge rusher.

Foster said he felt more relaxed after his team “broke the scoring ice” to take the early lead. On the defensive side, Foster notched a combined sack (0.5), three quarterback pressures and two tackles.

“It felt good to be able to ‘show out’ up there,” he said.

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster (#55) walks out to the field alongside his teammates before a home game during the 2025 football season.

Foster added that he appreciated the pep talks delivered by coaches and the overall structure of the event. The “coaching leadership” included Derek Fine, who served as a team captain during the Kansas Jayhawks’ 12-1 campaign in 2007 — culminating with an Orange Bowl victory.

“They weren’t there just to purely coach football,” Foster said.

According to a press release, the event was designed to “unite athletes from across the United States for elite coaching, college preparation, leadership development, life-skills training, and mental wellness tools — equipping them for success on and off the field.”

Foster said he fully soaked up the experience.

“One thing the coaches talked about is that when things are stacked against you, just put your head down and keep working hard because people are watching.”

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster helps Simon Simien get back to his feet during a boys basketball game this season.

Lawrence High boys basketball coach Nick Wood lauded Foster as a consummate teammate who always provides maximum effort.

“Since football is his number one thing, it would be easy for him to not want to play basketball,” Wood said. “But I appreciate like heck that he is out there battling for us.

“He provides a lot for us. He is a big body, a team guy and gives us all he has.”

As far as playing football collegiately, Foster is currently receiving heavy interest from NCAA D2 Missouri Western, NAIA’s Benedictine College and a few junior college programs. Foster said he plans to finalize his decision before National Signing Day in early February.

“I’m putting a lot of consideration into my options and just want to make sure that I make the right choice,” he said.

Foster added that his fondest memory from the gridiron this past season was Lawrence High’s 24-6 triumph over archrival Free State in the regular-season finale.

“Although the rest of our season didn’t go the way we wanted, it was pretty awesome to be able to pull that one out in front of our home crowd,” he said.

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster battles with Free State’s Braden Wilmes during the football edition of the City Showdown early this year.

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster (#55) focuses on his coach, Jason Thoren, as the latter talks to the team prior to the team’s season opener.

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster hugs one of his coaches after the Lions are eliminated from the playoffs.

Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster takes the court as the starters for the boys basketball team are announced prior to the Lions’ home opener.

Travis Tafolla

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster is shown on the jumbotron during the Native All-American Game Dec. 15 at Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Travis Tafolla

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster walking on the field in his football uniform as part of the Native All-American Game at Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Travis Tafolla

Lawrence High’s Devin Foster answers a question during an interview with Jacob Johnson as part of the Native All-American Game Dec. 15 at Minnesota Vikings’ U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. .