He accepted a football scholarship from San Diego State University, where he played under head coach Don Coryell and was a three-year starter at wide receiver.
[1] West was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (90th overall) of the 1972 NFL draft.
[2] As a rookie, he appeared in 11 games (5 starts), registering 9 receptions for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns.
On September 8, 1974, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a sixth round draft choice (#139-Dave Wasick).
On July 24, 1975, having a surplus at wide receiver, the San Francisco 49ers traded him to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a future draft choice (not exercised).