Terrance West
refer to caption
West with the Cleveland Browns in 2014
No. 28, 35, 27
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1991-01-28) January 28, 1991 (age 33)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:Northwestern
(Baltimore, Maryland)
College:Towson (2011–2013)
NFL draft:2014 / Round: 3 / Pick: 94
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • CAA Offensive Player of the Year (2013)
  • CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year (2011)
  • Jerry Rice Award (2011)
  • 3× First-team All-CAA (2011–2013)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:1,816
Rushing average:3.9
Rushing touchdowns:11
Receptions:51
Receiving yards:344
Receiving touchdowns:2
Player stats at NFL.com

Terrance West (born January 28, 1991) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Towson and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. West has also played for the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, and New Orleans Saints.

Early years

West attended Northwestern High School in Baltimore, Maryland, where he had a stellar high school career; he was a two-time All-Baltimore City selection at running back, amassed 4,700 total yards over the course of his career and was an honorable mention All-Metro selection.[1][2] He totaled over 2,000 all-purpose yards as a senior and 1,500 the previous year as a junior, helping lead his team to a 7–3 record as a junior and a 9–1 record during his senior season.

During his time at Northwestern, West was also a member of the basketball, baseball, and track & field teams. He was the leading scorer on his conference championship basketball team and a member of the top-ranked 4x100-meter relay team in the state. His personal bests: 11.2 seconds in the 100-meter dash, 22.4 seconds in the 200-meter dash and 6.95 meters (22'8") in the long jump.[3][4]

Fork Union Military Academy

After high school, West looked to play college football, but his low academic qualifications and test scores limited his opportunities. In order to try and fulfill his dreams of playing college football, West chose to attend Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia.[5] After playing for one year, he left because of the distance between him and his family. West's time at Fork Union Military Academy left him with no scholarship offers.

Hiatus

After prep school, West had to sit out a season due to NCAA rules and looked for a school that would accept him as a transfer student. During this time, he sold shoes at a Jimmy Jazz clothing store to support his young son.[6]

West looked to play football at Clemson University, but he was not qualified due to low SAT scores. He was also recruited by University of Maryland, but the team's interest faded after the hiring of Randy Edsall. A paperwork error led to West missing yet another chance at playing college ball, this time for Morgan State University. After getting in contact with head coach Rob Ambrose and learning of the interest the team had in him, West eventually chose to attend Towson University.

College career

At Towson, West had a record-breaking season in 2011 as a true freshman. The running back helped lead Towson to a 9–2 regular season, their first CAA Championship, and a playoff berth, all while rushing for a Towson freshman record 1,294 yards and 29 touchdowns.[7] In the offseason, West would be selected as the first ever winner of the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).[8]

West's sophomore season in 2012 saw a decline in personal statistics, coupled with a decline in wins for the team. He ran for 243 less yards and 15 fewer touchdowns than the season prior and the Tigers went 7–4, missing the playoffs.[9] West had repeated behavioral issues during the season, most notably prior to the home game against eventual CAA Champion Old Dominion. West and coach Rob Ambrose had a verbal altercation before the game which resulted in West not playing later that night. West walked off the sideline during the third quarter and threatened to quit the team via social media the next day, only to rejoin the team the next week.

In 2013, West had a resurgent junior season that would see more records fall. Through 16 games, he amassed 2,509 yards and 41 touchdowns (Towson University and NCAA FCS records) on 413 carries. His efforts helped lead the Tigers to a 10–2 record, including the programs first win over an FBS opponent and the school's second ever FCS playoffs appearance.[10] He was a finalist for the 2013 Walter Payton Award, finishing 3rd in the voting.[11] West also played a major role in the Tigers' playoff wins at Eastern Illinois University and Eastern Washington University. These wins earned the Tigers a spot in the 2013 FCS National Championship game in Frisco, Texas, against the North Dakota State University Bison, a game that they would lose to the defending champions by a score of 35–7.[12]

On January 6, West officially declared himself eligible for the 2014 NFL Draft.[13]

Records

NCAA records
Towson records

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 9+1⁄4 in
(1.76 m) 		225 lb
(102 kg) 		31 in
(0.79 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.54 s 33.5 in
(0.85 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 16 reps
All values from NFL Combine[14]

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns selected West in the third round (94th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.[15] In his first career NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, West had his first 100-yard game with 100 yards on 16 carries, a 6.3-yard average.[16] West finished the 2014 season as the Cleveland Browns' leading rusher with 673 yards rushing on 171 carries with four touchdowns.[17][18]

Tennessee Titans

West reported to Cleveland's 2015 preseason camp overweight and immediately reclaimed his position in the coaching staff's doghouse throughout the preseason. After the final preseason game in Chicago, the Browns decided to move on without West and on September 6, 2015, the Browns traded West to the Tennessee Titans for a conditional pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.[19] He was waived on November 7.[20] During his tenure with the Titans, he was active in 2 games and inactive for two. He had 16 carries for 51 yards and 2 fumbles, which is double the number of fumbles he had during his rookie season with the Browns.[21][22]

Baltimore Ravens

On November 10, 2015, West was signed to the practice squad of his hometown team, the Baltimore Ravens, after they lost starting running back Justin Forsett and back-up Lorenzo Taliaferro for the rest of the season.[23] On November 18, he was promoted to the active roster.[24] On November 30, West played in his first game with the Ravens, against his former team, the Cleveland Browns.[25][26]

In 2016, West appeared in all 16 games in the regular season and started 13 of them. He had a breakout performance in Week 4 against the Oakland Raiders, when he carried the ball 21 times for 113 yards and scored his first rushing touchdown as a Raven. However, the Ravens would ultimately lose 28–27.[27] Two weeks later, in a shootout against the New York Giants, he ran the ball 23 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching four passes for 36 yards, but the Ravens would lose 27–23.[28] In week 13 against the Miami Dolphins, West had ten carries for 50 yards and a touchdown, while also catching three passes for 18 yards and a receiving touchdown, in a 38-6 blowout win.[29] He finished the year with 193 carries, 774 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.[30]

On May 8, 2017, West signed his original round tender to keep him under contract for the 2017 season.[31]

In the 2017 season opener at the Cincinnati Bengals, West ran the ball 19 times for 80 yards and scored one of the game's two touchdowns, as the Ravens won 20–0.[32] The following week, against his former team the Browns, West ran eight times for 22 yards and a touchdown, while also catching two passes for 23 yards in the 24–10 win.[33] Due to a calf injury, he appeared in only five games that year and finished with 39 carries for 138 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[34]

New Orleans Saints

On June 14, 2018, West signed with the New Orleans Saints.[35] He was released on August 21, 2018.[36]

NFL career statistics

Season Games Rushing Receiving
Year Team GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yards Avg Lng TD
2014 CLE 14 6 171 673 3.9 36 4 11 64 5.8 11 1
2015 TEN 2 0 16 51 3.2 12 0 0 0 0 0 0
BAL 6 0 46 180 3.9 17 0 4 21 5.3 8 0
2016 BAL 16 13 193 774 4.0 41 5 34 236 6.9 17 1
2017 BAL 5 4 39 138 3.5 13 2 2 23 11.5 15 0
Career 43 23 465 1,816 3.9 41 11 51 333 6.7 17 2

References

  1. ^ Lourim, Jake (July 22, 2016). "In top shape, Ravens' Terrance West will try to make his hometown team again". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  2. ^ Davenport, Turron (November 14, 2015). "Terrance West: I grew up a Ravens fan. This is a blessing". The Baltimore Times, Inc. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  3. ^ "Pikesville Invitational 2009 - Boys Results (Raw)". MileSplit Maryland. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  4. ^ "2A North Regional Championship 2009 - Complete Results (Raw)". MileSplit Maryland. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  5. ^ Cottrell, Jay (January 2, 2014). "Baltimore`s Own Terrance West Talks About His Journey To Towson". WBAL. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Romanell, Marco (May 7, 2014). "Terrance West's journey from retail salesman to NFL draft pick". Baltimore Magazine. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "2011 Regular Season Towson Tigers". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  8. ^ "Towson's Terrance West wins inaugural Jerry Rice Award". FOX News. March 27, 2015. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "2012 Regular Season Towson Tigers". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on January 6, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  10. ^ "2013 Regular Season Towson Tigers". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  11. ^ "Football Championship Subdivision". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on November 18, 2014.
  12. ^ "Terrance West NCAA FB Stats - Season & Career Statistics". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  13. ^ La Canfora, Jason (January 6, 2014). "NFL Draft: Towson star RB Terrance West to forgo senior season". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  14. ^ "Terrance West Combine Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  15. ^ "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  16. ^ "Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers - September 7th, 2014". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  17. ^ "Terrance West 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  18. ^ "2014 Cleveland Browns Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  19. ^ Patra, Kevin (September 6, 2015). "Titans acquire Terrance West; place David Cobb on IR". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  20. ^ Patra, Kevin (November 7, 2015). "Titans cut Terrance West; Dolphins activate Jay Ajayi". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  21. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - September 13th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  22. ^ "Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns - September 20th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  23. ^ Meoli, Jon (November 10, 2015). "Former Towson star Terrance West joining Ravens practice squad". BaltimoreSun.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  24. ^ Mink, Ryan (November 18, 2015). "Ravens Center Jeremy Zuttah Put On Injured Reserve". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  25. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns - November 30th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  26. ^ "Terrance West 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  27. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens - October 2nd, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  28. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants - October 16th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  29. ^ "Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens - December 4th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  30. ^ "Terrance West 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  31. ^ Mink, Ryan (May 8, 2017). "Terrance West Signs His Restricted Free Agent Contract". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  32. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals - September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  33. ^ "Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens - September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  34. ^ "Terrance West 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  35. ^ Erickson, Joel A. (June 14, 2018). "Saints sign veteran running back Terrance West after tryout". TheAdvocate.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  36. ^ Sessler, Marc (August 21, 2018). "Saints releasing veteran running back Terrance West". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2023.

External links

Jerry Rice Award winners
Cleveland Browns 2014 NFL Draft selections
Categories