Justin Forsett

Justin Forsett (born October 14, 1985) is an American former football running back in the National Football League (NFL).

At the 2004 TAPPS State Championships, he ran the lead leg on the Grace Prep 4 × 100m and 4 × 200m squads, helping them capture the state title in both events with times of 43.13 seconds and 1:30.97 minutes, respectively.

Close to signing day, Notre Dame pulled a scholarship offer from Forsett.

Notre Dame coaches later contended they had not offered Forsett a scholarship.

Notre Dame's running backs coach at the time, Buzz Preston, later said that Notre Dame was looking for a taller running back.

The Texas Longhorns decided not to offer Forsett a scholarship because of his size.

Forsett's coach Mike Barber, a former NFL player, distributed Forsett's game tape to colleges across the country.

Coach Jeff Tedford offered Forsett a scholarship after watching Forsett's game tape and receiving a tip from Cal great Chuck Muncie, and made Forsett one of the last signings of Cal's 2004 recruiting class.

With a deep depth chart at running back, it appeared Forsett would redshirt his freshman year, but an impressive performance in fall camp kept him on the active roster.

In the season opener, Forsett had 34 yards rushing and a touchdown in Cal's victory over Air Force.

Forsett played mostly as a backup during his first three years behind J. J. Arrington and Marshawn Lynch.

Nevertheless, he managed to amass a good amount of playing time.

During his freshman year, Forsett was used primarily on special teams, returning one kickoff for 11 yards but usually blocking for Marshawn Lynch.

On coverage units, he made three tackles and blocked a punt in the endzone for a touchdown against Washington.

During his sophomore year, Forsett became second on the Cal depth chart at running back.

He filled in when Lynch was injured in the early season and ran for 235 yards against New Mexico State, good for the fourth highest single game rushing effort in school history.

In Forsett's junior year, he continued his role as backup.

He ran for over 100-yards against Oregon when injuries sidelined Lynch and in Cal's rout of Texas A&M in the 2006 Holiday Bowl.

As a starter his senior year, Forsett rushed for 1,546 yards on 305 carries, and scored 15 touchdowns.

He opened the season with 156 yards rushing and a touchdown against Tennessee.

His 15 touchdowns led all rushers in the Pac-10, and his 1,546 rushing yards finished second, behind Oregon tailback Jonathan Stewart.

Forsett's efforts earned him a selection to the All-Pacific-10 Conference first-team.

Forsett ended his college career on a high note, rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-36 Cal victory over Air Force in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl.

He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Forsett also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Denver Broncos.

Forsett was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round in the 2008 NFL Draft.

He scored his first NFL touchdown on August 16, 2008, in a preseason game against the Chicago Bears, during which he also gained 261 all purpose yards, with 136 rushing and 125 return yards.

Forsett's best season came in 2014 as a member of the Ravens, when he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate after finishing the season with career highs in carries (235), rushing yards (1,266) and touchdowns (8).

Forsett was born in Lakeland, Florida.

He moved to Arlington, Texas, in his sophomore year of high school after living in Mulberry, Florida.

Forsett attended high school at Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington, where he played football, basketball and ran track.

In football, he set several school records.

In his final two seasons, he had 63 touchdowns and rushed for nearly 5,000 yards, leading Grace Prep to two Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools division 4A state championships.

In high school, his nickname was "The Truth".

His father Rodney is a minister and a coach.

Forsett plays the tenor saxophone and taught himself a little piano.

He lists video games and photography as his hobbies.

Reggie White is his biggest inspiration.

In track & field, Forsett competed in sprints and relays during his final two years at Grace Prep.

As a senior, he recorded personal-best times of 11.07 seconds in the 100-meter dash, 23.3 seconds in the 200-meter dash and 54.1 seconds in the 400-meter dash.