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New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton hinted in January that he'd been keeping an eye on Cleveland Browns rookie running back Terrance West prior to the 2014 NFL draft.

"I don't know how big the running back at Towson is that I can't really comment on," Payton said jokingly last spring when asked about big running backs. "But my point is, you see some guys that catch your attention and so it's the one position that truly comes in all shapes and sizes."

West caught Payton's eye in December, when Towson crushed Eastern Illinois, Payton's alma mater, 49-39, in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

West ran for an FCS record 354 yards and scored five touchdowns on a snow covered field.

"My first hand exposure was watching him in the playoffs against the school I went to in the semifinals," Payton said. "He had like 300 yards rushing that night, watching him on TV."

The Saints' scouting department followed that up with a visit to his Pro Day later that spring at Towson.

How high West was on the Saints draft list is unknown.

"He was like any player we graded well," Payton said.


Read more: New Orleans Saints will have to keep an eye on rookie running back duo vs. Cleveland Browns | NOLA.com

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