Forrest Brock: California Cool

Forrest Brock's journey to becoming Temple University's starting quarterback has been defined as fate. From sunny Santa Monica to the bustling streets of Philadelphia, Forrest's path from junior college to FBS football shows how resilience, hard work, and dedication can pay off. He believed in himself, and all he needed was someone to see what he already knew he had in him. Now leading the Owls, Forrest Brock is more than just a quarterback; he's a leader, a teammate, and an athlete with a story that's worth knowing.

Formerly playing at Santa Monica Community College (SMCC) out of high school, Brock transferred to Temple in 2023. He didn't receive any FBS offers out of high school, so he went on to SMCC, where he was able to develop into more of a player before pursuing his goal of playing at the FBS level. Despite the disappointment, he used that as motivation to achieve his goal. A career-defining moment occurred when one of his quarterback coaches at SMCC reached out to a Temple coach, which eventually led to the start of Brock's recruitment process. "I just wanted someone who believed in me," he said, while reflecting on his journey to Temple. "It meant a lot to me," he explained.

The adjustment to the City of Brotherly Love hasn't been too tough for Brock, who's already used to a more urban vibe. He is really in touch with nature, and while he misses the beautiful California beaches, he's been appreciative of the East Coast experience. "Ever since I got here, I really like Philly," he said. "It's definitely different, but I've enjoyed the adjustment," he shared. He has some family in New York that he has been able to visit, as he's primarily lived in California his whole life. With such a big move and a major time difference, Brock finds comfort in having some family nearby.

The adjustment to FBS football has had some challenges associated with it, but he's found a love for the "TUFF-ness" of the program. "Temple football has been a big change because of how serious FBS football is," he admitted. There's a lot that comes with being a student athlete that isn't spoken about. The intense training, meetings, endless film studying, and the overall idea of creating a new routine are all new to him, but he's grown to love it. "I like the structure that this program has given me, and I spend a lot of time at the facility," he shared. Brock is fully dedicated to the process and enjoys how much time he spends at Edberg-Olson Hall, the Owls' practice facility.

The difference in competition has been notable to him, "Every player on the field is talented. The competition is definitely harder, so I've got to work that much harder," he said. He spends a lot of time studying film alongside offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf, which has been giving him the confidence to get the job done. He has more of an understanding of the defensive plays and coverage, and the time he spends studying film with his coaches is a tremendous help. As one of the leaders on the team, he likes to think of his leadership style as more calm and collected. Brock isn't the loudest person in the room; he just prefers to lead by his actions. He prefers to just help his teammates up instead of pointing out flaws. "I like to uplift my teammates—if something goes wrong, I'm more of the type to say, 'We'll figure it out and get it done next time," he says.

On game-days, Brock likes to keep a more composed mindset. Throughout the week, he will study film to learn the opponent's tendencies in order to mentally prepare. "I try to stay calm and relaxed, but on the morning of a game, I have to lock in. I listen to music, practice self-affirmations, and scope out the scenery," he explained. Brock says football is 85% mental, and 15% physical, and music helps him get into the right mindset. His playlists include artists like Gunna, Don Toliver, Future, and Travis Scott, but a particular game-day favorite is "Superhero" by Future.

Off the field, Brock is more of a family-oriented person. He only has one sibling, a 15-year old sister, who he's still really close with despite the large age gap between the pair. His mom works as an esthetician, while his dad does construction work and pet training. "I've lived in California my whole life," he explained, "It's one of the best places to live. If you're ever able to experience it, you have to. I love being near the beach and nature," he said. He likes to go to the beach and walk the pier; he says that nature keeps him grounded.

Brock's crucial role as the quarterback may be intense, but he does have a humorous side that his teammates have grown to love. When asked what superpower he would like to have on the field, he answered almost instantly. "Superspeed, I want to be able to outrun everyone on the field," he joked. And if he just so happened to be stranded on a deserted island, he already knows who he'd bring along. "James Della Pesca. He's funny, so he'd make me laugh the whole time, and I'd make him do all of the work to get us out of there," he laughed.

Looking ahead, Brock is excited for the remainder of the season. He's focused on the bigger picture and not just himself. "It's not just about me, I want the whole team to do well. I want everyone to have their moment," he said. Forrest is determined, he's focused, and he's ready to prove himself to everyone who believed in him. He wants people to know that he's going to give his best efforts to help the team win. This season may have had some hiccups for the kid from the 310 so far, but he's ready to show everyone why he's in his position. When it comes to what he wants people to know about him, his answer is simple: "I'm going to give my best effort to help the team.

Temple University Athletics

Forrest Brock: California Cool

Players Mentioned

Forrest Brock

James Della Pesca

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