Forrest, who moved from wide receiver to inside linebacker during his career at Kentucky, led UK in tackles in each of the last two seasons. He finished his UK career with 232 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and five interceptions. As a senior, Forrest totaled 93 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions while starting all 12 games.
Forrest is the first Paducah Tilghman alum to be taken in the NFL draft since current Tilghman football coach Kurt Barber went in the second round in 1992. As a wide receiver, Forrest caught 46 passes for 855 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior at Tilghman. As a defensive back, he picked off seven passes during his senior season and returned three for touchdowns. He also had an 85-yard fumble return for a TD.
As a high school senior, Forrest was named first-team all-state as a senior by the Louisville Courier-Journal. He was also named to the Lexington Herald-Leader “Class of the Commonwealth” listing of the top-22 players in Kentucky.
As a junior, Forrest helped Tilghman win the 2009 Class AAA state championship.
