New UCLA Bruin defensive lineman Sahir West hasn’t even made his UCLA debut yet but the James Madison transfer is already catching eyes. West was named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List on Friday after a very impressive freshman season.
West was one of the best freshman defenders in the country, posting 7.0 sacks with 45 total tackles and 14 tackles for losses. The effort earned West an entry to the Freshman All-American Team and the Sun Belt Conference’s Freshman of the Year award.
Luckily for Bruin fans, West followed his head coach at James Madison, Bob Chesney, to Westwood to join UCLA. Landing West in the transfer portal was perhaps the biggest transfer portal addition for the Bruins, giving defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler an exciting pass rushing piece.
UCLA has seen two defenders win the Lott IMPACT Trophy, with Eric Kendricks winning the award in 2014 after Anthony Barr won it in 2013. More recently, Laiatu Latu was named a finalist back in 2023. West was one of the 42 players named to the Watch List for the award.
Initially, 247 Sports had West as a three-star transfer, but after West made it to Westwood they’ve adjusted him to a four-star. 247 Sports has West as the No. 77 overall transfer and as the No. 9 edge rusher.
Pro Football Network’s EDGE Impact grades had West as the No. 5 edge rusher in the entire Sun Belt Conference with a grade of 74.4. At 6’4” and 270 lbs, West has the frame to become a game-wrecker at the collegiate level before he heads to the NFL.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Sahir West one of 42 players named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
