Defensive lineman prospect C.J West has one of the best stories at the 2025 NFL Combine this season and will soon be hearing his name selected as one of the 257 players picked this year.
West rose from unknown and under recruited at Nazareth Academy in (La Grange Park, Illinois to rising from Kent State to Indiana to making the CFB Playoff in the Hoosiers most historic season in program history. Now West looks to complete his next chapter as an underdog story in April when the NFL Draft rolls around but it starts with his combine performance this week.
Indiana has two players, former quarterback Kurtis Rourke and defensive lineman C.J West, participating in this week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
The former Indiana defensive lineman CJ West spoke to the media today about his time at Kent State, Indiana, the locker room culture, Curt Cignetti and what he brings to the table as a prospect.
West was dominate at the East-West Shrine Bowl and has been training in Texas heading into the NFL Draft.
According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, Indiana defensive lineman CJ West spoke with representatives from nearly 30 NFL teams.
"All of my meetings went very well," West told Melo. "I enjoyed talking to the scouts, getting to know each other. We had a bunch of great conversations. They all went very well, in my opinion. I also met with the 49ers, Buccaneers, and Panthers. I think I met with roughly 30 teams. Almost all of them."
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 earningBig 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.
The team that selects CJ West in the later rounds can expect a rotational defensive tackle with notable pass-rushing potential. By deploying him in the 3-technique position, allowing him to focus on attacking a single gap, West can unleash his strengths this is according to NFL Draft Buzz with their latest scouting report.
Here are what some of the top NFL Draft pundits and analyst had to say about the former Indiana defensive lineman leading up to the draft.
CJ West | DT | IND
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) February 26, 2025
Powerful DT that plays w/ great leverage and strength. Diagnoses runs quickly & has the power to extend blockers off his chest. Enough lateral quickness to change gaps & the power to rip through on zone runs. Power based rusher w/ a great club & push-pull move pic.twitter.com/DOc3HQLkUe
CJ West is a DT prospect who POPS on film.
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 19, 2025
Posted an 88.1 run defense grade in 2024 to go with his 25 pressures. Capable of playing 1 or 3 tech.
At 6’1, 314lbs, he reminds me a bit of Poona Ford. pic.twitter.com/Ao5nMy0gWL
Intrigued by the flashes of what Indiana DT CJ West can do at 314 lbs.
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) February 9, 2025
Just over 6' with 31.5" arms. Outlier? Yes. Did I just watch Poona Ford tear it up in the NFL at 5115 and 32.75" arms? Yes. pic.twitter.com/mdMIHyhpLT