Towson's Terrance West Selected By Cleveland Browns In Third Round of NFL Draft
Tim McDonnell
CAA Football Draft History | Browns Conference Call
New York, N.Y. (May 9, 2014) - Towson standout running back Terrance West, the all-time single-season Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) rushing leader, became the first Colonial Athletic Association Football player to hear his name called in the 2014 NFL Draft after being selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 94th overall pick late Friday night.
West is the highest Towson player to be drafted since offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod was picked by the New Orleans Saints at No. 125 in 2007. He was the sixth running back selected in this year’s draft and the first CAA Football back chosen since Tim Hightower of Richmond in 2008.
The Browns traded up in the draft with the San Francisco 49ers to select West.
“Man, it means a lot,” West said during a conference call with the Browns shortly after being drafted. “That they wanted me … Now it’s time to do my part.”
During his junior season in 2013, West helped lead Towson (13-3) to the FCS national title game and finished the year as the FCS’ all-time single-season rushing record leader with 2,509 yards and 42 total touchdowns. He also led all NCAA football players in the categories mentioned above.
Over just three seasons for the Tigers, West rushed for 4,849 yards and 84 touchdowns on 802 career carries. West decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and ironically ended his TU career with 84 career rushing touchdowns, tying the all-time record set by Adrian Peterson of Georgia Southern from 1998 to 2001.
Overall, the Baltimore native ranks third on the NCAA FCS all-time list of touchdown scorers with 86 total scores. Brian Westbrook of Villanova holds the record with 89 touchdowns while Peterson is second with 87 touchdowns.
“I had a great offensive line, I have great vision,” added West when talking about his success at Towson. “I had a coaching staff that believes in me. I’m just a dedicated guy that played with a chip on my shoulder. I’m hungry for success. I like to prove everyone wrong.”
A three-time All-American honoree, West earned 2013 CAA Football Player of the Year honors and was a finalist for the coveted Walter Payton Award. He finished third in voting for the honor, two spots behind the winner, Jimmy Garoppolo (Eastern Illinois), who was the first FCS player selected in the 2014 Draft to the New England Patriots in the Second Round at pick No. 62.
CAA Football’s presence in the NFL Draft has been evident, as the league had four players drafted in 2013 and 26 student-athletes selected in total since 2006. Former University of Delaware great Joe Flacco is still the highest conference player ever taken in the draft after the Baltimore Ravens chose him with the 18th pick in 2008.