Mike West Loves Contact

Junior Mike West is not your average receiver. The former linebacker loves contact, and he is not afraid to run over defenders if they get in his way. West has had a solid fall camp thus far, and he recently took the time to share his thoughts on the upcoming season with GamecockAnthem.

Question: You made the transition from linebacker to receiver this past spring. How would you say the transition has gone so far?

Answer: It’s something new. It’s a big change for me, but I’m just trying to go out there and make plays. Coach Spurrier asked me to do it, and I just volunteered.

Question: What are your expectations for yourself this season as a wide receiver?

Answer: To try to catch everything thrown my way. After I get the ball, I want to make something happen and try to make plays.

Question: How did the offseason workouts go for you?

Answer: I improved a lot in my weight, my strength, and my speed. I did pretty good, and I made all of the workouts. I ran hard, and I’m in pretty good shape right now.

Question: How would you describe yourself as a player?

Answer: I guess I’m not the average receiver, because I played defense. I have that mentality for contact and being physical. Most receivers don’t like being physical, but I can beat most defensive backs by being physical.

Question: Do you think you’ll take some teams by surprise this season because they’re not familiar with you?

Answer: I think I will. Nobody will really know what kind of speed I have or how physical I am, so I think I’ll surprise a lot of people.

Question: What are your expectations for the offense, as a whole, this season?

Answer: We can have a good offense if we pull together and play as a team. We can probably be one of the top offenses in the SEC.

Question: Which side of the ball do you prefer to play on, offense or defense?

Answer: When I’m on the field, it’s whatever. It doesn’t really matter.

Question: Which game are you looking forward to the most this season?

Answer: Probably the first one against Mississippi State.