Former Indiana defensive tackle C.J. West is helping his NFL Draft stock once again this week.
West garnered significant attention at the Shrine Bowl recently, and he is building on that momentum.
In Indianapolis Thursday, West became just the ninth defensive tackle weighing 315 or more pounds to run a sub-5 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine since 2003.
Measured at 6-foot-1 and 316 pounds, West also posted a 33-inch vertical leap. His arms measured 31.5 inches, and his hands 9.75, all according to the NFL.
West appears to have worked his way into the conversation as a possible pick in the first four rounds.
Under five seconds, both times. 😤
📺 #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
pic.twitter.com/VHUbI0oSsN— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) February 27, 2025
Here’s how NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein evaluates West as a draft prospect:
Overview
Fifth-year senior with three seasons as a full-time starter at Kent State and one at Indiana. West benefited from an extremely active, gaming front that created playmaking opportunities, but he also did the dirty work inside that scheme. He plays with adequate hand and foot quickness and is quick to diagnose the play. A lack of length and leverage at the point of attack might tie him to a one-gapping scheme as a pro. The sack totals are light, but he has enough athletic ability to compete as a rusher on single blocks. West has Day 3 value as a likely three-technique backup.
Strengths
-Quick read-and-react to lateral movement by blocker.
-Works into gaps on stretch plays to disrupt the design.
-Plays with some foot quickness when maneuvering in tight quarters.
-Works his hands from block to block without lingering.
-As a rusher, ties hands and feet for quick hops to center’s edge.
Weaknesses
-Average first-step quickness into the neutral zone.
-Allows pad level and base width to get away from him.
-Will get washed out of his gap by down blocks.
-Lacks length and explosiveness to force the issue as a rusher.
West was honorable mention All-Big Ten for IU following the 2024 season.
He was ranked as the No. 6 run defender (81.9) and No. 10 overall defender (76.9) among defensive interiors in the Big Ten per Pro Football Focus during the regular season.
Former Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is also competing at the event. His events will be on Saturday.
The 2025 NFL Combine runs Thursday, February 27 – Sunday, March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
The 2025 NFL Draft runs April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisc.
(Videos below via Big Ten Network/Kent Sterling)
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