Forbes Picked By Washington In First Round Of NFL Draft
April 27, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
Bulldogs now boast five first-round selections over the last five years.
STARKVILLE – He made a name for himself by picking passes and now, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes is the one that's been picked.
The Washington Commanders selected Forbes in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night. As the 16th overall selection, Forbes became the fifth Bulldog to be taken in the first round of the draft in the last five years joining Johnathan Abram, Jeffery Simmons, Montez Sweat and Charles Cross.
Forbes is the 16th Mississippi State player to be chosen in the first round all-time. He's the first MSU cornerback taken in the draft's opening round since Walt Harris in 1996.
The early selection of Forbes comes as no surprise following an outstanding career in Maroon and White. A three-year starter for the Bulldogs, the Grenada, Mississippi, native made an immediate impact in Starkville as a true freshman in 2020 and in the seasons that followed, he provided highlight after highlight.
Pick-sixes became Forbes' calling card. In fact, he heads off to the NFL as the FBS career leader in interceptions returned for a touchdown with six of them.
Forbes picked off 14 total passes in his time at MSU. No FBS player has more since Forbes' collegiate career began, and he ranks fourth in State history in career interceptions behind only Johnthan Banks, Harris, and Nickoe Whitley.
Forbes' six total picks in 2022 put him tied atop Mississippi State's single-season interceptions list. He also holds school records in single-season and career interception return yardage.
As a result, Forbes' MSU career accolades were many. Included among them were multiple defensive player of the week honors and All-Southeastern Conference recognitions, as well as a pair of All-America selections.
To say the least, Forbes had three magnificent years at MSU. He now takes his impressive resume with him as the latest Bulldog to go from State to Sundays.
