KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Sporting News announced its 2006 Freshman All-America team and true freshman Brandon West received honorable mention for Freshman All-America as a kick returner.  The Brunswick, Ga., native led the Western Michigan Broncos with 582 yards on 20 kickoff returns for an average of 29.1 yards per return.

West made his splash in the collegiate game early, returning a pair of kicks for 71 yards, with a long of 44 yards, in the Broncos' season opener at Indiana.  He continued to gain carries in the offensive backfield and earned his first career start on Sept. 23 against Temple.  West ran 12 times for 58 yards against the Owls.

Highlights of West's rookie campaign include his first career touchdown on a 12-yard run against Miami.  His next score came in the season finale from one yard out at Akron.  Another highlight of West's season was a 56-yard and 65-yard, the two longest of the season, kickoff returns at Florida State.  West recorded his first-career 100-yard game on the ground with 117 yards at Central Michigan.  He was named Mid-American Conference West Division Special Teams Player of the Week after racking up 73 yards on two returns against Toledo (Sept. 9).

Western Michigan finished the regular season 8-4 and 6-2 in the MAC, alone in second in the West Division.  The Broncos will take on Cincinnati from the Big East in the Inaugural International Bowl on Jan. 6, 2007 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.