Forsett anxiously awaits his shot.
by Nick Ironside
Nick Ironside spoke to California running back Justin Forsett about his plans for the upcoming 2008 NFL Draft.
Former University of California running back Justin Forsett expects to go on the second day of the NFL draft, just like his agents told him. But he’s a bit more ambitious than your average second-day selection.
“I think I can be very successful in the NFL. I work out pretty hard, I’m confident in my ability and I’m all ready for it,” Forsett, who is third in career rushing yards at Cal, said
The diminutive 5-foot-8, 198-pound Forsett is setting his professional goals high.
“(My goals are) just to get on the field in any way I can, and show my versatility, and win some Super Bowls.”
Forsett has more to add to a team than just expertise out of the backfield. He takes pride in being a team leader.
“I think the biggest affect it [leadership] will have is if you lead by example,” Forsett said. “I was always showing that, and I think everybody wants to work hard if they see that person that’s putting in the time, and not just doing what he says, but someone who can walk the walk and talk the talk.
“Anybody that’s around can just push them that much more, and I’m out there and I’m going to help them push it.”
After Forsett played a long leadership role at Cal, he expects it will carry on to the NFL.
“I think it’ll be the same way,” he said. “I mean I’m going to go hard every play and I think that people will follow again.”
Many players are fazed by the transition from the college game to the NFL. But Forsett doesn’t think the transition will be much different from the change of high school to college football.
“It (the transition from high school to college) was a smooth transition because I’m a hard worker and I don’t think anybody can outwork me, and I came in with that mentality,” he said “And I came in knowing some of the team, and we had team work.”
Forsett, who wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school, believes the switch to the NFL will be similar.
“There will be a lot of teams that pass up on me, and I’m ready to just go out there and show them I can play with the big boys,” he said. “I don’t think there will be a ‘hardest part’ of the transition. I mean it’s been my dream to play in the NFL, and it comes down to how well I can do what I do. I’m going into the NFL with the mind that I can do anything I want to do.”
Forsett mentioned the Philadelphia Eagles as a team that has the most interest in him as of now.
“I’d have to say Philadelphia’s been one of the teams I’ve visited, and they showed the most interest. They liked me a lot.”