Former Indiana defensive lineman CJ West has been participating in the East-West Shrine Bowl, which celebrates its 100th game in 2025 in Arlington, Texas, at AT&T Stadium. The East-West Shrine game is a college football all-star game that features some of the top draft-eligible players in the country which included IU's Trey Wedig, West as previously mentioned.
West has impressed NFL front office personnel and media throughout his week in practices in Dallas and is someone to keep an eye on for the remainder of the week for Indiana and NFL fans.
According to NFL Mock Draft Database West is ranked as the 175th overall prospect and is rated the 21st-best defensive lineman available.
The 6-foot-2, 317-pound started his career at Kent State making 39 starts and in was named third-team All-Mid-American Conference in 2023. West played his senior season at Indiana earning Big Ten honorable mention honors in his lone season as a Hoosier.
Draft Wire at USA Today Sports Media Group says "West is a squatty, powerful nose tackle prospect with quick feet and a powerful punch.
" He should be a great option for a 3-4 defense something late on Day Two or early on Day Three."Curt Popejoy
Indiana’s CJ West showcasing his powerful hands with a club-rip at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He’s a riser this week. pic.twitter.com/xjMtb6P6U0
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 28, 2025
In his recent interview with Windy City Sports, Jacob Infante asked West : "What would I be getting if I drafted you to my team?" West stated that "You’ll be getting a person who has high character. I love bringing the energy. I’ve been through some ups and downs with schools, and I know how bad things can affect the locker room, how losing maybe affects the locker room. I’m that guy, no matter what the situation, I’m going to bring the energy and try to lift guys up. I’m a high-energy guy; I love my teammates. I love being that spark for them. I’m also a guy who loves to work and always shows up. That’s a guy I want to be: always show up, wanting to work. I want to work hard, want to be very coachable, want to listen and ultimately win the right way."
Stop for a second and think about this season without CJ West. Was a late add in the spring portal window. #iufb
— Hoosier Review (@RyanMcDivitt) December 24, 2024
Honorable mention All B10, 6 TFLs and 2 sacks, PFF #6 defensive interior against run and #10 overall rank. https://t.co/s5OKzZAqoU
Best of luck to Chicago native and Indiana Hoosier CJ West and his former teammate Trey Wedig at the Shrine game this weekend.
How To Watch The East-West Shrine Game:
- Game: Thursday, January 30, 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network
- Practices: Saturday, January 25 - Tuesday, January 28, 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET on Lights Out Sports, a free streaming app.
- Rosters: View the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl rosters here
- For more information on the East-West Shrine Bowl, Click Here