Niners Nation
Both were from Indiana. CJ West and Kurtis Rourke could surprise in the NFL, according to Group of 5 coaches
A couple of weeks ago, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reached out to college coaches to find sleeper picks in the NFL Draft. Those players were considered to be drafted outside of the first two rounds and closer to the end of Day 2 and throughout Day 3. These prospects were the types who fill out the top rosters in the league, with the potential to make a big impact in the playoffs down the line.
For this exercise, Rittenberg said he spoke with coaches in every Power Conference, and several of them were from the Group of 5. The San Francisco 49ers saw two of their draft picks mentioned.
CJ West, DT, Indiana Hoosiers
Bio blast: The defensive transfers coach Curt Cignetti brought from James Madison to Indiana gained more attention, but West was an extremely valuable addition coming over from Kent State. He started 35 games during four seasons with Kent State, earning third-team All-MAC honors in 2023. But 6-1, 316-pound West really blossomed last fall, recording 42 tackles, including seven for loss, and two sacks with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, as Indiana won a team-record 11 games and made a surprise run to the College Football Playoff.
Scouts Inc. ranking: No. 149 overall, No. 20 defensive tackle, grade of 65
What else to know: Cignetti told ESPN that West “opened a lot of eyes” at the combine, where he ran the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds (4.95) and had the fifth-fastest 10-yard split among defensive tackles (1.73 seconds).
“I wish we had him for two or three years because you could tell how good he could have been,” Cignetti said.
“He’s got a great personality and was really athletic for a big guy, can move. He really played good football the last half of the season.” Another Big Ten coach said of West, “He’s one who really popped.”
Forty-two tackles for a nose tackle is impressive. The same is true of West’s 81st percentile 40-yard dash.
During West’s post-draft media, West explained where his best position would be:
“I’m multiple. I can do it everywhere. But my bread and butter is at the one-technique. That’s where I just abuse centers, punch them in the face, be as violent as possible, just creating havoc down there in the middle.”
He continued, talking about meshing with the rest of his teammates:
“I love teammate camaraderie, so I’m going to just try to gel with them, become a good bond. And that’s how defensive lines work well together when they’ve got a good bond, and they understand each other and have a feel for each other. So that’s something I’m really looking forward to doing as well.”
West, like D.J. Jones, figures to be a fan favorite sooner than later.
Collegiate coaches were also high on...
