Cignetti and Indiana football snags another productive player from the transfer portal.
By Dante Pryor
Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti has a plan. He and his staff believe that the Hoosiers football program is not a three—to four-year rebuild. With the transfer portal and NIL, Cignetti believes Indiana football can win this year with the transfer portal and NI. He intends to target and offer productive, veteran players out of the transfer portal.
Their latest signee, former Kent State defensive lineman CJ West, proves that plan. West is a three-year starter and has been productive for the Golden Flashes. His best season came in 2021, Kent State's bowl year. He had 43 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Last season, West had 40 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, tackles, and three sacks.
He chose the Hoosiers over offers from Michigan, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Miami (FL), Kansas State, LSU, and Texas A&M.
How he Fits
West instantly upgrades the defensive line. At 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds, he gives Indiana much-needed size in the middle of their defensive line. While defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and the Hoosiers will play a variant of a 4-2-5, their scheme requires a nose and defensive tackle. West can play both.
He gives the Hoosiers much-needed depth and versatility in the middle of the defensive line. He and Robby Harrison gives Indiana a solid 1-2 punch over the center.