Emmanuel Forbes

Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (born January 13, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and holds the FBS record for most career interceptions returned for a touchdown with six. Forbes was selected 16th overall by the Washington Commanders in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, playing sparingly prior to being released midway through his second season.

Early life Forbes was born on January 13, 2001, in Grenada, Mississippi. He grew up playing football in youth leagues, often as a quarterback, before attending Grenada High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. In football, he recorded 49 tackles with eight interceptions as a cornerback, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Forbes also caught 31 passes for 499 yards and seven touchdowns as a wide receiver, and returned a punt and blocked field goal for touchdowns on special teams.

Forbes was considered the second-best prospect in Mississippi's 2020 recruiting class. He had also received several JUCO offers to play college baseball. He started every game as a sophomore in 2021, recording 59 tackles and three interceptions. He was a consensus All-American as a junior after recording six interceptions with three returned for touchdowns.

Considered a ballhawk, Forbes holds the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) record for most career interceptions returned for a touchdown with six and is fourth in Mississippi State history with 14 interceptions. He also holds school records for the longest interception return at 90 yards, doing so at the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl, and the most interception yards in a season with 183, doing so as a freshman.

Professional career

Washington Commanders Forbes was selected by the Washington Commanders in the first round (16th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft. He signed a fully guaranteed four-year $15.4 million contract on July 22, 2023.

Forbes recorded his first career interception in his second game, a 35–33 win over the Denver Broncos. In the week 4 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles, he was criticized for his performance covering wide receiver A. J. Brown. The following week, he was benched after multiple blown coverages against Chicago Bears wide receiver D. J. Moore. In the first quarter of the week 10 game, Forbes was ejected after a helmet-to-helmet hit against Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The NFL fined him for $15,563 for his week 10 ejection.

Following the opening game of the 2024 season, Forbes underwent surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right thumb. In the week 6 win over the Carolina Panthers, he recorded his second career interception against quarterback Andy Dalton. Forbes was waived by the team on November 30, 2024.

Los Angeles Rams

On December 2, 2024, Forbes was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams.

On May 1, 2026, the Rams declined the fifth-year option on Forbes' contract, making him a free agent after the 2026 season.

Career statistics NFL Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF Fum FR 2023 WAS 14 6 38 35 3 — 2 11 1 3 3.0 3 — — 1 — 2024 WAS 6 1 7 2 5 — — 1 1 19 19.0 19 — — — — LAR 2 1 5 4 1 — — 1 — — — — — — — — 2025 LAR 17 14 45 32 13 — — 18 3 43 14.3 31 — 1 — — Career 39 22 95 73 22 — 2 31 5 65 13.0 31 — 1 1 —

Postseason Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF Fum FR 2025 LAR 3 1 8 5 3 — 1 — — — — — — — — —Career 3 1 8 5 3 — 1 — — — — — — — — —

College + SeasonGames Tackles Solo Sacks 2020104523220.5050036202113594514513000420221246262010600310Career 3515094566.511400620

Personal life

Forbes is the second-youngest of three siblings. His father gave him his first necklace after closing a win as a pitcher in a championship baseball game.