Wester averaged nearly 16 yards per punt return and scored two touchdowns over his final two college seasons at Florida Atlantic and Colorado. He looks at ease fielding the ball, then has the speed and shiftiness to make tacklers miss and explode up the field.
The Ravens had some unsteady moments on punt returners down the stretch last season and are looking for Wester to grab the job by the horns like he did for the Buffaloes.
Wester also feels like he can contribute as a receiver after racking up the sixth-most catches in FBS history (326) during his five-year career. His 931 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last year were the second-most on the team behind Hunter. Wester became one of Shedeur Sanders’ trusted guys in their first year together.
Like everyone else, Wester was surprised to see Sanders last until the fifth round of the NFL Draft, when the Cleveland Browns selected him as their second rookie quarterback.
“I was disappointed that they did him like that,” Wester said. “I know Shedeur is going to get in the lab. He’s going to work hard and he’s going to win that job in Cleveland.”
The disappointment ended one round later when Wester found out he’s going to play for the Browns’ rival, catching passes from Lamar Jackson, a fellow Floridian playmaker who Wester looked up to as a kid.
“When I got that call, man, all I could say is, ‘L.J., we on the way,'” Wester said. “I couldn’t have been drafted to a better situation. I’m just overly blessed to be in this position and be here in Baltimore.”