Forbes steps into role as leader for MSU
Emmanuel Forbes couldn't help but feel a little strange during spring practices this year.
For the last two seasons, Forbes has learned and grown with Martin Emerson at cornerback. Emerson was much like a bigger brother helping Forbes along the way and Emerson's play on his side gave many opportunities for Forbes to be a playmaker with more passes coming his way.
With the veteran cornerback now off to the National Football League, Forbes is now stepping into the role that Emerson left behind as the leader of the group. That's exactly how he handled the spring practices with several fresh faces on the field.
A few of those faces will need to step up and the competition between them will be stiff. Decamerion Richardson got a chance to get much playing time last year as a sophomore following up seven games his first year with playing in all 13 a season ago. He had 15 tackles and got valuable experience behind Emerson and Forbes.
That spearheaded him into getting a good amount of reps in the spring but some talent has come in during the offseason to test him. The nation's No. 1 cornerback in junior college in Decarlos Nicholson is one and Alabama transfer Marcus Banks also looks to strengthen the room.
“It's a little different looking across the field this year and seeing a new guy over there and not the same guy I've seen the last two years,” Forbes stated. “D Cam has come a long way from where he first started. He's almost a complete player now. Marcus (Banks) is a player and technically sound. Decarlos (Nicholson) is a real long corner that still has a lot of learning to do but he's a good player. D Cam knows the defense pretty well and they're still learning so it's going to take some time.”
Forbes is bringing a good bit of experience to the table himself. In year one, the fresh faced defender played in all 11 games and made 44 tackles while being an interception shy of tying the school record with five and knocking down 11 passes. His three interceptions returned for scores were a school record and he set the record of interception return yardage with 183.
He had another great year in 2021 picking up 60 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, eight pass deflections, three interceptions and a forced fumble. He brings that into his junior season needing seven more interceptions in two years to break the alltime interception record. He's worked on his craft and he's also worked on getting his body ready to take on some of the best of the best. Since arriving in Starkville at 150 pounds, Forbes is now up to 175 and pushing to put on five more pounds of muscle.
On top of the added weight and the time that Forbes has already spent in league games, he's gotten tested at MSU practices as well. The Air Raid and its receivers have really pushed Forbes to the limit and he's excited to see that group of receivers this year as well.
“They're maturing and getting their timing down,” Forbes said. “They're getting better every day. The receivers are coming along as well and they're still learning the offense. Tulu (Griffin), (Caleb Ducking) and Rara (Thomas) have been really impressive.”
With the work that the Bulldogs and Forbes got in the spring, it could be a special year for No. 13 and his teammates.