Colorado University Athletics
West's Departure Further Explained
BOULDER -- On April 12, University of Colorado football coach Jon Embree announced that five players would not be returning to the program this fall. Speculation and inaccurate rumors immediately surfaced in some circles about the possible reasons for those decisions.
Embree wanted to emphasize in the case of sophomore Forrest West, his departure from CU's football program, "Had nothing to do with any academic or disciplinary issues, a lack of commitment to the team, or any question about his ability to continue making substantial contributions as he has done during the past two seasons under former coach Dan Hawkins. In his best interests, Forrest has decided to take his athletic talents elsewhere. He is a fine young man and will be a tremendous addition to another college football program."
West played in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2009, recording 10 tackles (eight solo, one for a loss, two for zero gains), with two passes broken up and a forced fumble in being named the recipient of the team's Lee Willard Award as the most outstanding freshman. As a sophomore in 2010, he appeared in 11 games, making 19 tackles, which included nine for losses and five-and-a-half quarterback sacks, both second-most on the team. He started one game (at Oklahoma) and missed the Missouri game with a slight hamstring pull.