NW Cabarrus' Forrest leads ODU defense
Old Dominion Monarchs linebacker Jackson Forrest (18) celebrates after a play during the second quarter against the Troy Trojans at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Va., on Nov. 13, 2025.
NORFOLK — The way Jackson Forrest sees it, Old Dominion's lack of experience on offense does not add weight to the load the team's defense may have to carry this season.
The Monarchs return just one offensive starter and five on defense from a team that went 10-3 and won the Cure Bowl last season.
Forrest, a sophomore linebacker from Northwest Cabarrus, is approaching the imbalance with a one-track mind.
"The way I've played defense all my life is I can't depend on the offense to go score," Forrest said Thursday after ODU's seventh practice of fall camp, one of the full-contact variety. "It's how can I let the offense not get in the box? How can the defense score? So I think as a defense, we always put that pressure on ourselves to be perfect and to not let anything happen."
The Monarchs held opponents to 18.5 points per game last season, second in the Sun Belt Conference only to College Football Playoff participant James Madison's 18.4.
The 6-foot, 225-pound Forrest was a surprise reason for ODU's success. He burst onto the scene with 52 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for loss.
"What he did last year as a true freshman was amazing for us," defensive coordinator Blake Seiler said. "I don't think he quite knew how soon he was going to get his opportunity. But to his credit, he was ready for it. It's also a good example for a lot of the new guys that are just brand new because sometimes they don't see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Running back Devin Roche is the lone returning starter on offense, meaning the Monarchs are in the process of an entire rebuild up front.
A three-man race at quarterback is expected to run through fall camp, and a slew of new receivers continue to battle for jobs.
"I love all three of our quarterbacks," said senior receiver TJ Johnson. "They're all great guys and they all work hard. So whoever's throwing me the ball, I'm happy."
Forrest is confident that the guys on the other side of the ball will pull their weight.
For a team with 54 new players, it's one of many question marks.
"I think our offense has done a really good job of just taking those guys and weaving them into the scheme and stuff like that," he said. "So I don't think it's going to be us lifting them up at all. I think we do it to each other naturally."
The Monarchs are practicing three days at a time, with a day off in between, in advance of their Sept. 5 opener against Norfolk State.
"We've had a good week of work so far," Seiler said. "A lot new faces. We've got some returning guys on D, which is nice for once. We're giving a lot of the young guys opportunities because we know with our schedule and our league, we're going to need a lot of depth. There's been some growing pains here or there, but overall, I like the way the guys are working and attacking the heat."
David Hall, david.hall@pilotonline.com.
