The Baltimore Ravens signed Terrance West to their practice squad on Tuesday. It was a move that both parties wanted to happen when West was entering the 2014 NFL Draft. West put up big numbers as a running back at Towson University. He ran for 2,509 yards and had 41 rushing touchdowns during his junior year at Towson.
The Ravens wanted to select West with the 99th selection (3rd round), but the Cleveland Browns struck a deal with the San Francisco 49ers to move up to the 94th selection (3rd round) and get West before the Ravens. The Ravens ended up using their 99th pick to select current starting tight end Crockett Gillmore.
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Terrance West
Lorenzo Taliaferro ended up being the running back that they selected once West was taken. Taliaferro was selected in the fourth round.
West fell out of favor in Cleveland once offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan asked to be released from his contract. West showed promise during his rookie season with the Browns. He started six games and led the Browns in rushing with 673 yards. West scored four touchdowns that season, including two against the Ravens.
Shanahan is now with the Atlanta Falcons and West is now playing for his third team this season after being traded to the Tennessee Titans and released last week.
Once the dust settled, West feels that he is exactly where he was meant to be. “I grew up here, played Pop Warner here, I played high school football here, I played college football here,” West said with a smile. “This is where I want to be. This is a great fit.”
West attended Northwestern High School in Baltimore. He had an outstanding high school career and was a two-time All-Baltimore City selection at running back. West accumulated 4,700 total yards over the course of his career and was an honorable mention All-Metro selection.
The Baltimore product said that he feels blessed to be able to come home and play for the team that he grew up rooting for. “A couple of other teams reached out to me, but I always wanted to be a Raven,” West said. “Playing with any team is a blessing but I grew up a Ravens fan.”
West said he purchased a place in the Baltimore area two months ago so he would have a place when he came home during the offseason. Coincidentally, he can now stay there during the regular season as well. West is looking forward to being able to spend the holiday season with his family instead of away from home.
Returning home is great for West, but he is well aware that he has to take care of business if he wants to stay here. Ravens head coach, John Harbaugh pointed out how Justin Forsett is a great mentor and should have a tremendous influence on West. The second year running back said that he always had something to prove, but it is especially the case now.