Michael Westbrook says he's devastated over the death of his U of Colorado teammate Rashaan Salaam ... saying he's in "utter shock" and wishes he could've helped his friend.
Westbrook and Salaam DOMINATED as a WR, RB combo in college -- especially during their 11-1 season in 1994 (the year Rashaan won the Heisman).
Michael says he's been an emotional wreck since learning about Rashaan's death this week -- and says looking back, there may have been a warning sign.
Westbrook says Salaam missed an event at the Colorado Hall of Fame last month -- and teammates scrambled to get in contact with him.