UCLA’s Kai Forbath Is Named Preseason All-American by ESPN, Sports Illustrated
Pressure is nothing new to UCLA placekicker Kai Forbath. In fact, he thrives on it. He has been called on in key situations time and time again and, fortunately for the Bruins, he almost always delivers. It’s why his teammates and Coach Rick Neuheisel have so much confidence in him. It’s also why both ESPN and Sports Illustrated have named him to their preseason All-American teams. A red-shirt junior, Forbath has already made 44 field goals in his UCLA career–fifth most in school history–including 13 in a row to end last season. He has made all six of his career attempts from 50 yards or more and is tied for first on the Bruins’ all-time list in that category. He ranks his overtime winner in the 2008 opener against Tennessee as the highlight of his career… so far. Forbath and teammate Alterraun Verner, a senior defensive back, were selected to ESPN.com’s All-America pre-season first team by college football columnist Ivan Maisel. Among this season’s leading contenders for the Groza Award, Forbath was the preseason All-America pick at placekicker by Sports Illustrated’s Stewart Mandel and Mark Beech in their 2009 College Football Preview issue. A Palisadian-Post Athlete of the Year in 2007 and 2008, Forbath began making headlines long before he arrived in Westwood for his first practice. He kicked Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks to a 35-1 record and three CIF championships, scoring 213 points and converting 134 of 135 extra point attempts over his last two seasons. The Bruins will need Forbath to have another productive season if they hope to contend for the Pac-10 title. UCLA opens the season next Saturday night at the Rose Bowl against San Diego State.
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