An emotional Reuben Foster didn’t want to be the 31st player taken in the NFL draft. He had much higher expectations after leaving Alabama and winning the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebacker.

Foster was going to be a top-10 pick. But things didn’t go to plan. He had shoulder surgery, was booted from the combine and failed a drug test. His stock tumbled.

But after being drafted by San Francisco, who moved up three spots from 34 to 31 to take him, Foster wants to be the 49ers’ next great linebacker.

“I’m trying to be great, the next Patrick Willis. The next great linebacker in their history,” Foster said in a conference call. “He’s got the passion for the sport that I want to be.”

Awaiting Foster is a chance to play next to Willis’ old running mate NaVorro Bowman.

“It’d be great, man. Learn from a great vet,” said Foster. “Pick his brain and just be able to come in and just make a big impact. Just working hard, just really showing what I’m capable of and just my showing my passion for the sport.”

Foster’s slide comes with questions about his decision making off the field, on top his injury status with his surgically repaired shoulder.

“People think about the character off the field and everything, but I just got to show them how I seriously I take my job,” he said.

Foster joins Solomon Thomas, forming San Francisco’s pair of first-round picks from Round 1 of the draft Thursday. The 49ers ranked last in opponents’ yardage and scoring last season and allowed the most yards rushing in franchise history. They added two pieces to build around in their new-look front seven.