By By Mark Etheridge/special to The Star
July 13, 2002
Alabama added the sixth commitment of the 2002-2003 season as Northeast Jones High School offensive lineman Travis West made his decision to play for the Crimson Tide. The Laurel native stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 295 pounds.
West chose the Tide over Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, West Virginia, and Marshall. While they all gave him loads of attention, "nobody came close. There was no second place", West added.
Travis said the Alabama staff considers him an offensive lineman, not a tackle, guard, or center. He feels capable of playing any of the three spots. Despite a lack of accolades, West is a player that the Tide coaches have kept an eye on for some time.
Travis is also a big fan of the head coach. "Coach Fran has the right idea about how to run a program. He is a man of good moral character and is interested in winning. I really like him."
He also was not swayed by any negative perceptions others may have about a college on probation.
West, a super student who will have no trouble qualifying, will be in Tuscaloosa for Saturday's one-day camp on the Alabama campus. He considers calls himself a thinking man's offensive lineman.