Darrick Forrest

Darrick Forrest's Biography

Darrick Forrest Jr., born on May 22, 1999, is a renowned American football safety currently playing for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Forrest embarked on his exciting professional sports career after being drafted by Washington in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. However, his career in football began long before his entry into the NFL and provides insight into his development and journey to professional ranks.

Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Forrest was first exposed to the world of football during his formative years at Walnut Ridge High School. Regarded a 3-star recruit, he caught the attention of several colleges, eliciting offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), Ohio, Toledo, and Youngstown State. Despite the variety of impressive offers on the table, Forrest committed to play college football at Cincinnati, demonstrating a clear determination in his career path.

From his early days at Cincinnati, Forrest developed skills that prepared him for the pressures of the NFL. He exhibited a strong work ethic and a knack for playmaking. This endurance and tenacity eventually caught the attention of the Washington Football Team, who selected him 163rd overall in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Transitioning to professional sports can be challenging, but Forrest seemed to take it in stride. He signed his first four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021. Nevertheless, in his debut season, Forrest encountered some difficulties, evidenced by his placement on injured reserve on September 1, 2021. However, this setback didn’t compromise his dedication to the sport. He was activated again on November 2, 2021.

His triumphant comeback was highlighted in Week 1 of the 2022 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Forrest celebrated his first career start. During this match, he demonstrated his dynamic defensive skills by recording five tackles, two deflected passes, a forced fumble, and a late fourth-quarter interception, marking the first of his career. In Week 10, Forrest continued his impressive run, contributing an interception and a fumble recovery to Washington’s dramatic 32-21 upset victory over the then-undefeated Philadelphia Eagles.

By Week 11, Forrest’s comprehensive skill set and consistent performances had earned him the starting free safety role, replacing Bobby McCain. Forrest continued to cement his place in the team by recording his third career interception in Washington’s 23-10 victory over the Houston Texans.

Forrest finished the 2022 season with sterling stats: 88 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 17 games. Of these games, he started 11, signifying his elevated standing and remarkable contributions as a professional player within the team.

However, the following year was marked by physical adversity. On October 10, 2023, Forrest encountered another hurdle in the form of a shoulder injury, leading to his placement on injured reserve. Despite this setback, the journey and accomplishments of Darrick Forrest Jr. up to this point reveal a promising player with a powerful presence on the professional football field. His swift rise from a college recruit to an NFL starter is truly inspiring, demonstrating his persistent resilience and clear talent in the fiercely competitive world of NFL football.