BREAKING: Three-star CB Darrick Forrest commits to Bearcats

Just days before Fickell was named Head Coach at Cincinnati, and the rebirth of the Bearcats program began, 3-star Walnut Ridge CB Darrick Forrest announced that he was committing to Miami University, and that he was ready to be a RedHawk.

Since the day Fickell took the Cincinnati job, several local recruits have been hopeful of obtaining an offer from the University of Cincinnati. Forrest was among this group, and just hours before his official visit, Fickell offered him.

On Monday afternoon, shortly after decommitting from the RedHawks, Forrest announced he was ready to join the #CinCityPride movement.

The three main coaches who had been working on Forrest were Coach Freeman, Coach Washington, and of course Coach Fickell.

"I talked to Coach Fickell last (Sunday) night, and told him I was ready to be a Cincinnati Bearcat," he told BCR in an exclusive interview shortly before making his commitment public.

Forrest, who is just hours removed from his official visit to Cincinnati, fell in love with Cincy from the moment he first stepped on campus.

"I loved the campus, the players, and the coaches." He said about the visit.

Forrest left Cincinnati with a lot on his mind, and a major reason for his decision to flip to Cincinnati is the vision Fickell and the rest of the staff have for the program.

"The new era of Bearcats football. They are setting the players up for success. With this new coaching staff, the players have showed so much change in just a week and I want to be a part of something great. I know I'll be worked to to fullest potential and my talents will be maximized both on the field and off," he said about the culture change going on in the Queen City.

On the field, Forrest projects as a nickel corner to start, with the ability to move into the boundary corner role in the future. His long arms help him in man coverage, but he also feels like he can play in zone coverage if needed.

Forrest is the Bearcats 2nd commitment in as many days, and the 14th overall for the Class of 2017.