At a position of need, IU football snags highly coveted transfer pickup DT CJ West

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football got a verbal commitment from Kent State defensive tackle CJ West on Wednesday morning.

he 6-foot-2, 315-pounder was one of the most highly coveted players at his position remaining in the portal with Wisconsin, Michigan, LSU and Florida State among the schools that had targeted him.

More: Projected 2024 IU defensive depth chart after spring practice

The Hoosiers came out of spring practice with very little depth or experience at the position behind JMU transfer James Carpenter and returning tackle Marcus Burris Jr. West, who announced his decision on social media, solidifies the team's two-deep alongside the recent addition of JMU transfer Tyrique Tucker.

In four seasons, he had seven sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and 58 quarterback pressures in 36 games. According to Pro Football Focus, he had a 85.9 overall grade and 79.9 pass-rushing grade.

West signed with Kent State as part of the 2020 signing class. He was a three-star recruit coming out of Nazareth Academy in Illinois with eight offers including ones from Minnesota, Toledo, Western Michigan and Bowling Green.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football adds Kent State transfer CJ West from portal