Defensive back Franky West Jr. joins the Bay Area Panthers for the 2025 Indoor Football League season. Notably, this will be West’s rookie IFL campaign.
West brings extensive experience from the FCS level. He logged significant playing time at Illinois State University (2019-2022) before finishing his collegiate career at Eastern Kentucky University (2023).
For the EKU Colonels, West played in nine games, accumulating 38 total tackles, seven passes defended and one recovered fumble en route to FCS All-American honors. Following the 2023 season, West was invited to the College Gridiron Showcase in Ft. Worth, TX wherein he presented his skills to various NFL personnel. He graduated in 2023 with a degree in Business.
Prior to arriving in Richmond, KY, West saw heavy action over three years competing for the Illinois State Redbirds. Following in his father’s footsteps at ISU, West Jr. made 23 total appearances for the Redbirds. His 2022 campaign finished with 48 tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups while featuring one of the highest Pro Football Focus grades in the nation.
As noted, West is the son of Illinois State and AF2-great Frank West Sr. Having ties to the Peoria Pirates and Bloomington Extreme, West Sr. instilled invaluable gridiron experience into West Jr. That knowledge and discipline has gone a long way for the younger West, as he was never flagged for pass interference or defensive holding over more than 1,000 collegiate snaps.
West is a native of Bloomington, IL. For his prep career, he played very close to ISU, starring at nearby Normal Community High School (? 2018). While competing for the Ironmen, West saw significant usage at cornerback and wide receiver. He credits his time on offense for improving his defensive techniques in coverage.
West is not the only player from Normal Community HS on Bay Area’s 2025 roster. Fellow-Ironman Landry Mavungu will also suit up for the Panthers this season.
West expressed admiration for how Panthers Head Coach Rob Keefe runs his program, exclaiming, “That's how I go about my business. I don't just train to get by; I train to dominate.”
Coach Keefe is equally as thrilled to have West in the building, telling BayAreaPanthers.com, “Franky is a first-rate mirror-and-match defensive back with excellent route recognition and the ability to maintain tight coverage all over the field.”
West is a passionate advocate for neurovisual training and the subsequent benefits provided to athletes. Look for West to be flying around the secondary at SAP Center in 2025.
