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DRAFT PROFILE: Darrick Forrest, S, Cincinnati

2 February 2021 DRAFT Interviews Opinion Philadelphia Eagles SAFETIES


Measurables: 6’0” 198 LBs

Darrick Forrest is a 22 year old safety from the University of Cincinnati. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Forrest attended Walnut Ridge High School where he played Cornerback, Wide Receiver and Punt Returner. As an offensive target, Forrest recorded 20.6 yards per reception on 24 receptions for 514 yards and eight touchdowns! Additionally, Forrest was a three sport athlete who excelled in both Basketball and Track as well. Coming out of Walnut Ridge, Forrest was seen as a three star recruit and regarded as one of the top players in Columbus. As a freshman, Forrest was limited to special teams work and a reserve defensive back for the Bearcats before becoming a full time starter his sophomore year. His full time role led to him being among the team’s top-8 tacklers. As a Junior, Forrest was selected to the First-Team All-American Athletic Conference for his work on a Bearcats defense that led the nation in scoring defense. Going into his senior season, Forrest was named to the Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award and Nagurski Trophy watch lists. Darrick is a rangy safety who is a sufficient athlete with above average size that is a master of being where he’s supposed to be on the football field. Rarely will you find a play where Forrest is out of position to make a play on the football. His primary use for the Bearcats was as a split zone safety but saw some opportunities to play man coverage as a slot corner in condensed areas of the field. Forrest has a quick ability to process places which allows his to trigger and fill gaps as needed in run defense. Additionally, Darrick is an effective tackler that does well to play under control and take proper angles in pursuit of a ball carrier. Forrest plays with a spectacular sense of urgency that allows him to quickly put himself in a position to make a play. In every play I watched, I never saw Forrest as a spectator on a single play. Forrest has effective ball skills that mix well with his angles and tracking skills that allows him to make his share of plays on the ball, even with his back to the quarterback. Forrest is not an eye popping, ball-hawk that is going to wow you with spectacular plays. Forrest is solid in every facet of the game and will be a solid starter moving forward in his NFL career.

Strengths

  • Adequate athlete
  • Positional versatility
  • Fluid movements
  • Technique
  • Ball skills
  • Pursuit angles
  • Tackling
  • Controlled aggression

Weaknesses

  • Not a lot of single high usage
  • Awareness to blockers

NFL Comparisons

John Johnson III. Similar prospect coming out of college. Efficient in every facet of the game and can make plays when needed. Consistently in the right position to make a play on the football or ball carrier and does the little things right.

Projection

Round 5-6. A lot of front offices are enamored by the ball-hawking, big hitting guys on the back end of the secondary which will allow the solid, all-around prospects to fall to the later rounds for the taking. Darrick Forrest will be a day one starter for any team willing to take a chance on him.

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