Q&A: Hobbs linebacker Roe Forrest is a two-sport star

Within the next several months, Hobbs senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="26165" first="Roe" last="Forrest"] has a difficult decision to make. The two-sport star is one of the New Mexico’s top linebackers (the <em>Las Cruces News</em> named him the top defensive player in Class 6A) as well as being an outstanding baseball prospect. Last season he finished with 118 tackles, most in 6A, and eighth most in the state. He was one of Hobbs’ few bright spots in a disappointing 2-8 campaign. In baseball, he batted .390 (30-91) with 13 RBI in 28 games as a sophomore in 2019. The 2020 high school baseball season was, of course, cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic after just seven games. Forrest has the opportunity to play either or both sports at the next level. Eastern New Mexico and Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas have offered him in football, while Odessa (Tex.) College, New Mexico Junior College, Frank Phillips College (Borger, Tex.) and Benedictine have offered in baseball. Numerous other schools have expressed interest. Forrest could also choose to immediately pursue a pro baseball career if he’s selected in next June’s 2021 MLB Draft. We spoke with Forrest about the upcoming football season, Hobbs’ prospects, his looming choice about which sport to play in college, having to playing both sports simultaneously in the spring and more. <strong>Q: What is your reaction to the NMAA moving football season to the spring?</strong> A: I do not agree with the season being pushed back. Let New Mexico fall sports stay on schedule and let everyone play or practice. It will be an obstacle we will have to overcome and hopefully we’ll play this spring. <strong>Q: What are you and your Hobbs teammates doing to stay in shape after summer workouts were halted?</strong> A: My teammates and I are not letting this offseason go to waste. We consistently go to the field and play 7-on-7 and stay physically fit by going to the gym. Today (Monday, Aug. 24^th), the football team will be back at the Hobbs high school gym. <strong>Q: What are your expectations for Hobbs after the 2-8 record in 2019?</strong> A: My expectations are high for this upcoming season. We have a bunch of returning seniors and we are all on a mission for revenge and redemption. <strong>Q: What areas does Hobbs have to improve the most to experience a winning season?</strong> A: Where we need to improve the most is team leadership. We have all the talent. Last year we had no senior leadership because of the lack of numbers. <strong>Q: Do you view yourself as the leader of the team? If so, what are the things you’re doing as the team leader?</strong> A: I do consider myself a leader but more of tone setter. I like to keep the intensity high at practice and even higher during games. I like being the one who makes the big hit to get the team fired up. As a leader, I push everyone not to be late or skip practice. Last year, that was a big problem. I like to motivate the guys if they don’t want to be there. I will talk with the head coach if there’s a problem.  I also try my best to make my teammates feel like family. <strong>Q: Since you’re being recruited in both football and baseball, are you planning to be a two-sport athlete in college?</strong> A: Time will tell. I love both sports but I haven’t made that decision yet. <strong>Q: Because football season has been delayed to the spring, how will you juggle the two sports since there will be significant overlap?</strong> A: I will do my best on playing both with baseball games being on Tuesday and Thursday, and football games being on Friday. That means I will have to be at two practices during the week but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make. <strong>Q: What are your strengths as a football player?</strong> A: My main strengths as a football player are being able to move pretty well for a player of my size (6-foot-3, 206 pounds). I’ve run the 40 in 4.58 seconds. I also have the ability to read the field and get the tackles my team needs. https://twitter.com/roeforresttt/status/1270433289732489216 https://twitter.com/FiveToolTexas/status/1291130008904314882 https://twitter.com/FiveToolTexas/status/1291071931610025988