Darrick Forrest Jr. Bio
Darrick Forrest Jr. is an American professional football safety. He is currently on the roster of the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats, he was selected by the Washington Football Team in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Standing 5 ft 11 in tall and weighing around 200 pounds, Forrest has built a reputation as a versatile defensive back capable of contributing in coverage and run support. Across his NFL career he has recorded more than 130 tackles and four interceptions, along with pass breakups and forced fumbles. He was named First-team All-AAC during the 2019 college season.
Early Life and Background
Darrick Forrest Jr. was born on May 22, 1999, in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He grew up in the same city where he would later become a local football name. His upbringing in Ohio helped shape his early athletic development.
Forrest attended Walnut Ridge High School in Columbus, where he played high school football. As a recruit, he was rated a three-star prospect by scouting services. His high school film caught the attention of multiple college programs in the region, and he drew offers from schools including Ball State, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), Ohio, Toledo, and Youngstown State.
Path to American Football
Forrest chose to continue his football career at the University of Cincinnati, where he joined the Cincinnati Bearcats. His decision to commit to Cincinnati gave him the chance to develop at a Group of Five program with a strong defensive tradition. Over time, he worked his way into a major role in the Bearcats secondary.
During the 2019 college season, Forrest earned First-team All-AAC recognition, establishing himself as one of the top defensive backs in the conference. That season also helped raise his NFL draft profile. After completing his college career with the Bearcats, he declared for the 2021 NFL draft and was selected in the fifth round.
Darrick Forrest Jr. Career
Early Career (2021)
Darrick Forrest Jr. was drafted by the Washington Football Team in the fifth round, 163rd overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021, and joined a Washington secondary looking to add depth. His first training camp showed flashes of the ball skills he had displayed at Cincinnati.
Forrest was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2021, slowing his early progress. He was activated on November 2 and returned to the active roster later that season. Although his rookie year was limited, the experience gave him a foundation in the NFL.
Washington Commanders Breakthrough (2022)
In Week 1 of the 2022 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Forrest made his first career start. He recorded five tackles, two deflected passes, a forced fumble, and a game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter, the first of his career.
In Week 10, Forrest added an interception and a fumble recovery in Washington’s 32-21 upset victory over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. Before Week 11, he was named the starting free safety, taking over the role from Bobby McCain. Forrest then recorded his third career interception in Washington’s 23-10 victory over the Houston Texans. He finished the 2022 season with 88 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery across 17 games, starting 11 of them.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2025-Present)
Following his time in Washington, Forrest joined the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal signed on March 13, 2025. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. On September 9, 2025, he was signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts before being released on September 13. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to their practice squad on October 29, 2025, and he was released on November 12.
On January 14, 2026, Forrest signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad, then signed a reserve/futures contract on January 20. He was placed on injured reserve on May 28 due to an undisclosed injury. His current roster status is on injured reserve.
Driving Style and Strengths
Forrest is known for his versatility in the secondary, with the ability to line up at multiple safety spots. He has shown strong ball skills, recording interceptions and pass breakups, and he is a reliable tackler in run support. His steady improvement at free safety during the 2022 season highlighted his football intelligence and willingness to take on larger responsibilities.
Notable Events and Milestones
One signature moment came in his first career start in Week 1 of 2022, when Forrest sealed a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars with a late interception. He also delivered a key interception and fumble recovery in a major upset of the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. His First-team All-AAC selection in 2019 marked his rise as a legitimate NFL prospect.
Darrick Forrest Jr. Career Wins
While football defensive backs are not credited with traditional wins the way drivers or fighters are, Forrest has piled up notable statistical milestones across his NFL career. His 2022 season stands out as a breakthrough, when he started 11 games and posted 88 tackles and four interceptions for the Washington Commanders.
Washington Commanders Highlights
Forrest began his NFL career with the Washington Football Team in 2021 and developed into a starter by 2022. That year he recorded four interceptions, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He also helped Washington pull off a memorable upset of the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10.
Other Wins & Performances
Forrest earned First-team All-AAC honors in 2019 while at Cincinnati, marking his top individual recognition before the NFL. Through stops with the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and San Francisco 49ers in 2025 and 2026, he has remained a depth option and practice squad contributor, showing the durability required to stay active across multiple organizations.
Darrick Forrest Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public records on Darrick Forrest Jr.’s immediate family are limited. He was raised in Columbus, Ohio, where he attended Walnut Ridge High School. His football development in the region shaped his career path.
Personal Life
Information about Forrest’s spouse and children has not been publicly disclosed. He remains focused on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a period of transition for Darrick Forrest Jr. He signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills on March 13, 2025, before being released as part of final roster cuts in late August. That led to short stints on the practice squads of the Indianapolis Colts in September and the Pittsburgh Steelers in late October and early November.
Each stop demonstrated that teams around the league continued to value his experience in the secondary. While game action was limited, his practice-squad work kept him in the NFL ecosystem and positioned him for another opportunity.
Looking ahead, Forrest signed a reserve/futures contract with the San Francisco 49ers in January 2026 and was placed on injured reserve on May 28 due to an undisclosed injury. His current outlook depends on his recovery, but his track record of staying ready has been a hallmark of his career.