IU football defensive tackle CJ West seeing draft stock rise following NFL Combine

IU football defensive lineman CJ West was invited to one of the pristine events for college players looking to make it to the next level; the NFL Combine. And, he did not disappoint during his week in Indianapolis.

West was coming off of a terrific season with Indiana, his first and only year with the Hoosiers. He impressed immediately at the combine with his speed during the 40-yard dash, running a 4.95 and becoming just the ninth defensive tackle since 2003 to run a sub-5.0 while weighting at least 315 pounds. He ranked seventh in the 40-yard dash at his position and fifth in the 10-yard spring and vertical jump.

His performance at the combine made him one of the top risers in the field — and according to ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper, West was one of 12 top risers outside of round one projections.

“West came to Indiana from Kent State and has steadily improved his draft stock over the past year,” Kiper wrote. “He had 8.5 tackles for loss in his final season, showing the ability to get leverage with his lower center of gravity. Then he looked the part at the East-West Shrine Bowl. And now he posted great numbers during the combine workouts. His 4.95-second 40 and 33-inch vertical both tied for the fifth among defensive tackles. West is a potential Round 4 pick.”

His play also gave him All-Combine Defensive Team honors.

“A lot of people say that I’m a big teddy bear off the field but when I get on the field I’m a monster. I guess that might be true, I’m a really nice guy but when I put the helmet on, I step between the white lines I’m mean. It’s different, that switch flips,” West said during the NFL Combine.

West arrived at Indiana from Kent State and quickly became one of the top players at his position in both the conference and the country. He finished with. 40 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in 13 games for the Hoosiers. For his career, however he totaled 150 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks.

“I fell in love with the program, [Cignetti’s] culture, just the way he kind of ran things coming out of the portal,” West added. “I felt like Indiana was the right choice for me.”

Between his performance at the NFL Combine, his play last year at Indiana and really emerging as a big time prospect during his week at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January, West has certainly had one of the top offseason among NFL Draft prospects.

“I’m a person who’s just going to continue to work no matter what the situation is,” West said. “The more attention I may get that doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m just gonna continue to work and do what I do.”

SEE ALSO: ‘I’m going to outwork you and that’s my goal every time’: IU football DL CJ West wants to let his work ethic speak for itself

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