Addison West was among the most decorated Group of Five players this past season.
The 6-foot-3, 305-pound offensive guard/center spent six seasons at Western Michigan, making 37 consecutive starts over his final three seasons.
This past year, he was named Western Michigan’s first-ever Walter Camp Foundation first-team All-American.
To show the company he was keeping on that All-American team, the other first-team offensive linemen were LSU’s Will Campbell, Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr., West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum, and Ohio State’s Seth McLaughlin.
In addition, he was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and Football Writers Association.
The only thing seemingly missing was an invitation to the NFL Combine. So what gives?
“It’s a good question,” West said in a phone interview with HERO Sports.
While he was miffed that there was no combine invitation, West decided to take a negative and turn it into a positive.
“It made me mad for a while,” he said. “I use that as more motivation.”
So he will keep plowing on as he prepares for the NFL Draft.
“I feel I have gotten a snub in a lot of things,” he said. “It adds extra motivation for myself. I know what I am as a player.”
Adding Versatility
West has been a guard most of his career but has filled in at times at center. As a senior, he played nearly two full games at center, showing some versatility to his potential future employers.
Besides his playing ability, one thing that should resonate with NFL teams is his academic resume.
Over the years, he was a fixture on the Academic All-Mid American Conference teams.
West graduated two springs ago with a major in sports management and a minor in business. And he is finishing up work for his MBA just before this year’s draft which will be April 24-26 in Green Bay.
“You need crazy time management to play football and keep up what you need to do in school,” he said. “COVID was a bad thing, but a blessing in disguise because I was able to get my masters, and another year of college football paid for free.”
West was a study in perseverance because he played sparingly his first three seasons at Western Michigan before starting every game the past three years.
“My first three years I was behind Mike Caliendo, who is on the (Kansas City) Chiefs,” West said. “He was better than I was and a really good football player.”
West said he tried to learn from former teammates such as Caliendo, tackle Jaylon Moore, who recently signed with the Chiefs as a free agent, and Wesley French, a center for the Indianapolis Colts.
There was certainly a lot of talent on the offensive line during West’s time at Western Michigan.
“Once I finally got my chance, it was going to take a stretcher to get me off the field,” he said.
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Lured By Power Four Schools
Before the 2024 season, West said there were chances to transfer to Power Four schools.
“There were tons of choices, but I wanted to do something special for a school that did so much for me,” he said.
As a senior, Western Michigan became bowl eligible with a 28-16 home victory over Eastern Michigan that gave the Broncos a 6-6 record.
West said that game provided him with one of his best college football memories.
“Playing in the snow, going off on your own terms on Senior Day and winning against our big rival, that was a big deal for me,” he said.
NFL scouts dig deep into a player’s background, and another thing they will like is that West played basketball at Cary-Grove High School in Illinois.
Addison West’s Pro Day Results
West did get to perform in front of NFL scouts at Western Michigan’s Pro Day on March 10. According to West, there were 22 NFL teams represented for the event that was outside on a windy cold day in Kalamazoo.
He said these were the following numbers that he produced:
- 23 reps of bench pressing 225 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 5.17 seconds
- Vertical: 33 inches
- Broad jump: 9’7”
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.74
- Three-cone: 7.58
There were several areas where he compared favorably with the linemen who tested at the combine. His broad jump would have tied for the best. Only four of the 16 linemen who tested had a better three-cone. Just five of 28 who tested in the vertical jump had a higher figure.
He said he was pleased with the results. Now comes the hard part – waiting for the draft. Before that, he will have a visit with the Chicago Bears. It’s possible other visits could occur before the draft with West or other candidates.
Determined To Succeed
West said while competing in the Hula Bowl in Orlando during the second week of January, he visited with 24 NFL teams.
“The teams are getting to know you as a person. It reminds me back to the recruiting process,” he said.
West said he has received feedback about where he may be drafted. However, until a player is drafted, it remains speculation.
“I was told Day 3, probably (Rounds) 6 or 7 or a high priority free agent at this point,” he said.
Wherever he lands, West is just looking for that coveted opportunity.
“Give me the chance,” he said. “And I will produce.”
