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Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster is considered by some to be one of the top defensive players available in the upcoming NFL draft, but he told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com his urine sample from the NFL Scouting Combine was reported as dilute.

"This is something that's going to get out," he said Thursday. "I don't make excuses. I'm a real dude. I try to be a good person. ... I just hope the coaches understand and that's all I can hope and pray for."

Rapoport noted the diluted sample will be treated as a positive test based on the league's policy and program for substances of abuse.

Foster explained the test came back dilute because he was sick with what he believed was food poisoning before the combine. Rapoport added, "Foster tells me he was sick before the combine and hydrated like crazy. In the program now: 'Test me.'"

This wasn't the only issue for the Alabama product at the combine. He also had an altercation with a hospital worker and was sent home before he could finish his medical exam, per Rapoport.

He apologized to teams for the incident with a letter and has also discussed the reasoning behind his dilute tests with them on the phone.

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Bleacher Report's Matt Miller ranks Foster as the No. 1 linebacker in the draft and called him a "heat-seeking missile" who can blitz, stuff the run and drop back in coverage.

Miller said of Thursday's news of Foster's combine test, "Could explain why buzz about Foster slipping has been out there. Each team will weigh this differently."

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