With the opening of the Curt Cignetti era of Indiana football, the Hoosiers have been one of the more active programs in the transfer portal. According to 247Sports, Indiana has added its 29th incoming transfer by way of CJ West out of Kent State. West is the program’s 12th defensive transfer, fourth on the defensive line, and third from the MAC.
LETS GET AFTER IT BLOOMINGTON‼️‼️GO HOOSIERS!!! @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/Ved0Sxes2u
— CJ West (@CJWEST50) May 8, 2024
Indiana Lands Massive Defensive Line Transfer, CJ West
CJ West at Kent State
West was initially a three-star recruit in the 2020 cycle. The nose tackle from La Grange, Illinois was first committed to P.J. Fleck and Minnesota before decommitting and signing with the Flashes. In his true freshman season, West only appeared in three games and recorded a single tackle.
He broke out for the Flashes in 2021 as he logged 12 starts on the defensive line. In total, he accounted for 43 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, a pass breakup, and he recovered a fumble in the win over Bowling Green. Three of his four sacks came in one game against Akron.
West had to battle injuries in 2022 but he still made 10 starts. His counting stats took a step back, only managing 26 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and a sack on the year.
West returned to form in 2023 and earned Third-Team All-MAC honors for his efforts. In 12 starts, West ended up with 40 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks. To add to it, he forced a fumble in the season-opening loss to UCF.
In his career against Power 5 teams, he totaled 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble in eight games. That includes a four-tackle, one-sack day against Georgia in 2022.
Go Indiana, Young West
West joins a transfer-laden defensive line for the Hoosiers and will factor into the rotation immediately.
After four years at Kent State – minus the free 2020 season – West has just one year of eligibility remaining. The six-foot-two, 315-pound nose tackle chose the Hoosiers over the likes of Big 10 foes Michigan, Wisconsin, and Rutgers. He also held offers from Cal, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas State, Miami (FL), and LSU.
