Former Towson University standout running back, Terrance West, was signed today to the Ravens practice squad, according to sources (me).

West was drafted in the 2014 draft in the third round (94th overall) by the Cleveland Browns. There was talk at the time that the Ravens were trying to move up and take the former Towson star, but the Browns traded up to the 49ers’ slot to select him with the 30th pick of the 3rd round.

In his rookie season, West was in a crowded backfield in Cleveland, but in 14 games had 673 yards rushing including four TDs on 171 carries. He also caught 11 balls for 64 yards with a score. The main issue for West early in his career has been ball security, as he’s lost three of his four fumbles in his short career so far.

This year, West was traded at the end of training camp to the Tennessee Titans for a 2016 conditional draft pick. During his short tenure with the Titans he was active in two games and inactive for two. He had 16 carries for 51 yards and two fumbles, which is double the number of fumbles he had during his rookie season with the Browns.

West will go down as the most decorated Towson offensive player, in my humble opinion.

He led the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in rushing yards per game (104.6) and scoring (90) in 2012 after logging 195 carries for 1,046 yards (5.4) and 14 TDs along with five catches for 102 yards and a TD in ten games (six starts). West missed the Old Dominion game due to a death in the family.

He set the NCAA FCS single-season rushing mark and led all of college football in 2013 with 413 carries for 2,519 yards (6.1) and 41 touchdowns and 26 catches for 258 yards and a TD in 16 games. Was the CAA Offensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.

He led the Tigers to the FCS Championship game and set the FCS record for touchdowns in a season with 42. Had 354 yards and five touchdowns against Eastern Illinois in the playoffs. And his 84 career rushing touchdowns tied the FCS record, set by Adrian Peterson (Georgia Southern 1998-2001) in only three seasons.

This could be the best and worse spot for West. On one hand, he is back with one of the best organiztions in the NFL as well as back in his hometown. The other side of that coin is the risk that having family/old friends around could distract him from what should be his main focus: getting back on the active roster. The Ravens liked West in the draft, but is this the same RB they were eyeing on draft day 2014? Only time will tell.

My advice would be getting back in touch with his former college coach – Rob Ambrose – and getting back to what made him so attractive, not only to the Ravens, but to the rest of the NFL, when he came out. As a proud Towson alum, I’m rooting so hard for this kid. #TigerPride