2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 50 Days (CJ West)

Written By Evan Alvarez

Welcome back to the 2024 Hoosier Huddle Countdown! From now until Indiana’s opening day against the FIU Golden Panthers, the Hoosier Huddle staff will feature every player on the Hoosiers football roster for 2024. Today, the featured player as we are 50 days out is #50, CJ West.

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: #50 – CJ West

Height: 6’ 2”

Weight: 315 pounds

Hometown: LaGrange Park, Illinois

High School: Nazareth Academy

Class/Position: Redshirt Senior / Defensive Line

Previous Schools: Kent State University

CJ West is arguably the crown jewel of Indiana’s 2024 transfer class. Filling the biggest hole on the roster, defensive line (specifically defensive tackle), while being at the most sought after position in the transfer portal, getting CJ West to Bloomington is huge. Speaking of being heavily sought after, CJ West received transfer offers from Wisconsin, Michigan, LSU, Rutgers, Florida State, and many others.

Likely, West was lured to Indiana at the expectation that he will play nearly every down, along with some NIL dollars going his way. West projects to be worth every bit of time, effort, and monetary compensation used in his transfer recruiting, as he graded as the 14th best interior defender in the entire country last year per Pro Football Focus (PFF). His 85.9 overall PFF grade ranks ahead of recent 2nd round draft pick and fellow Big Ten defender Jer'Zhan Newton.

West first joined Kent State as a 3 star recruit ranked as a top 1200 player in his class. Since then, he has developed at an incredibly strong rate. In the portal he was a top 300 player, nationally he graded exceptionally per the aforementioned PFF rankings, and there are even discussions about an NFL future. Allen Trieu, National Recruiting Analyst for 247 Sports, projects West as a Power 4 Starter (which he will be at Indiana) and says that, “...he should have a chance to hear his name called in the NFL Draft.” 

Look for West to be a leader on this Indiana defensive line as they strive to reach new heights in the new look Big Ten and college football landscape.

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff continues with day 49 tomorrow.