Louisiana footballs Fitzgerald West Jr. is cherishing every moment he has as he enters his final preseason camp of his collegiate career.The Lafayette Christian alum and 337 native used to dread the day. Mentally preparing himself for the early mornings and days filled with practices and meetings. This go-round, reporting for camp at UL is extra special for the defensive lineman, given it almost didnt happen.After entering the transfer portal, West withdrew his name making him the first player to return to the program from the portal under UL head coach Michael Desormeaux.I was honored to be allowed back because I already knew like me entering the portal I was like damn, I probably wont be coming back to UL, West said. Once you make that decision you kind of putting a stamp on yourself. But when I entered the portal coach [Michael Desormeaux] was like I understand, Im not mad at you and I was like Coach if I dont find anything, Im coming back.Coach was like Alright, this aint never been done before, but we might see. And it all ended up working out.Finishing where it all startedBefore West was welcomed back to the program as one of the expected leaders for the Cajuns on the D-line, his transfer news sent shockwaves through ULs staff.Hes a guy that to me was a leader on this team and that was one that hurt when we thought he was gonna leave, Desormeaux said of West. I just thought the value of having him back on this team was worth it. I mean its not a easy thing to man up and have to say look I made a mistake and Im trilled to have him back. I love the kid.For defensive coordinator Jim Salgado, Wests portal news brought back a bad memory for the assistant, in which he almost lost out on retaining a local prospect.I remember calling him when that whole thing went down, and I just wanted what was best for him, Salgado said. Hes a great young man, a leader in the front and a local kid right from down the road here, and Im just very thankful that it ended up working out that he came back.For West, the decision to come back is a full-circle moment. From growing up watching the Cajuns and knowing the fight song word for word to now donning Vermilion & White, it was only fitting for him to finish his career in his hometown.REQUIRED READING: Lafayette-Area's Ultimate Guide to the 2026 high school football seasonREQUIRED READING: 'Everybody's hungry': UL baseball's Matt Deggs weighs in on incoming playersWests All gas, no breaks mentality this fallAs a key returner on the defensive line for the Cajuns, West has embodied the all gas, no breaks mantra this offseason. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, West is one of the more experienced linemen this season after Jaden Dugger and Jordan Lawson graduated. As a junior, he finished with 23 total tackles, two sacks and two tackles for losses.In 2026, West will be looking to produce more on the field while also taking up more of a leadership role on defense.Its my last year and its all or nothing so for me my mindset is just all gas, no breaks at all, West said. I know I have a lot of guys around me thats bought in on the same thing that Im on so I want to be like a sound leader on the team. I feel like this season its gonna be a shock to everybody.Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Back from the portal, Fitzgerald West Jr. embraces final preseason camp