[3][4] After high school, West looked to play college football, but his low academic qualifications and test scores limited his opportunities.

[6] West looked to play football at Clemson University, but he was not qualified due to low SAT scores.

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.

[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).

[9] West had repeated behavioral issues during the season, most notably prior to the home game against eventual CAA Champion Old Dominion.

Through 16 games, he amassed 2,509 yards and 41 touchdowns (Towson University and NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) records) on 413 carries.

His efforts helped lead the Tigers to a 10–2 record, including the programs first win over a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent and the school's second ever FCS playoffs appearance.

[21][22] 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.

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.

[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.