Early Life and High School Achievements

Born on October 14, 1985, in Lakeland, Florida, Justin Forsett is the son of Rodney Forsett, a minister and coach. He attended Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington, Texas, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track and field. As a standout athlete, he set multiple school records and was particularly dominant in football.

In his final two years at Grace, Forsett rushed for nearly 5,000 yards and scored over 60 touchdowns, leading his team deep into the playoffs. His performances earned him a reputation as one of the top high school running backs in the state. In track and field, he also posted remarkable times that reflected his speed and athleticism on the football field.

College Career at California-Berkeley

Despite his high school success, Forsett was overlooked by programs such as Notre Dame and the University of Texas due to concerns about his height. He ultimately accepted a scholarship offer from the University of California, Berkeley. During his first three years at Cal, Forsett primarily served as a backup running back but still managed to earn meaningful playing time.

He made a strong impression early on, notably recording a 34-yard run and a touchdown in a win over Air Force. As a sophomore, he moved up to second on the depth chart and stepped up when starter Marshawn Lynch was injured, amassing 235 rushing yards in a single game—then the fourth-highest single-game rushing total in school history. In his senior season, Forsett reached career highs with 1,546 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He capped off his college career with a strong showing in the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl, scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 140 yards to lead Cal to victory.