CJ West NFL Draft Interview: High-Energy DL (Interviews)
Interviews

CJ West NFL Draft Interview: High-Energy DL

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Indiana defensive tackle CJ West was downright dominant at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. Among the most talented prospects in attendance, West established himself as a top 75-worthy selection. Offensive linemen had no answer for his red-hot motor and ability to slash into opposing backfields.

West recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. West discussed his experience at the college all-star showcase, what he'll bring to an NFL defense, rushing the passer and stuffing the run, which teams have shown interest in him thus far, and more.

JM: You were a standout performer at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. What was the overall experience like?

CJ West: It was honestly a great experience. It was a great opportunity to compete against some of the best competition throughout the country. I was learning from different NFL coaches and even some of the players. Some of the guys there played in different schemes and learned different techniques. We were all offering each other tips and whatnot.

I had a great time at the Shrine Bowl. Who knows, maybe I created a bond with a future teammate. We’re all working towards the same goal. It was awesome.

JM: What do you think you proved to general managers and scouts in attendance?

CJ West: I think I proved I’m a much better pass rusher than people think I am. I proved I could do it all. Of course, I’m a run-stopper as well. I could also get after the quarterback.

JM: You flashed significant pass-rush upside. It sounds like that was a goal for you going in, to show scouts that you have some untapped potential in the passing game.

CJ West: Yeah, it definitely was. I also showed the scouts that I can rush the passer in multiple schemes, and from different positions as well. I can play defensive tackle as a 1-technique or a 3-technique. 

I can disrupt the pocket from multiple alignments. I get after the quarterback and cause havoc in the backfield. I thrive at making quarterbacks uncomfortable.

JM: You definitely did that at Shrine. You had such a consistent week of practice. How would you describe your pass rush arsenal? What are your go-to moves and counters? What did you put on tape at the East-West Shrine?

CJ West: I have very strong hands. That probably comes first and foremost. I really rely on how great and quick my hands are. I’m very violent with my hands. That’s something I rely on as a pass rusher. I also use quickness and explosiveness. I’m sudden in tight spaces.

Offensive linemen have a tough time keeping up with me. Those are some of the traits in my pass-rushing arsenal.

JM: You probably met with most teams at the East-West Shrine Bowl. That's standard practice. Did any of those team meetings particularly stand out? Which meetings do you best remember?

CJ West: The Detroit Lions were a standout meeting. I had a very good meeting with the Chicago Bears. They’re my hometown team. Talking to the Bears, that was a great meeting. I spent quite a bit of time with the Green Bay Packers. We talked a decent amount.

All of my meetings went very well. I enjoyed talking to the scouts, getting to know each other. We had a bunch of great conversations. They all went very well in my opinion. I also met with the 49ers, Buccaneers, and Panthers. I think I met with roughly 30 teams. Almost all of them.

JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why.  You totaled a combined 9.5 sacks and tackles for loss this season. What do you think it is about your game that allows you to make so many plays around the football and in the backfield?

CJ West: I’m a violent player. Violence stands out on my tape. It makes me different. I’m a violent player at the point of attack. I rely on my get-off as well. I get off the ball really quick and don’t give offensive linemen a chance to decipher what I’m doing.

I like to get up in their grill right off the snap. I rely on that. Above all, I love the game. I play with a ton of passion. I’m a physical player because I love this game. That’s how I approach every snap. I put a lot of effort into every snap.

JM: It’s obvious on tape. What about your ability to defend the run? You briefly touched on that. You've been so stout in that area throughout your career. Do you think you're a three-down defender at the next level?

CJ West: Definitely I do. I take a lot of pride in defending the run. I feel like if a team is successfully running the ball on us, I take responsibility for that. I put the blame solely on myself. It’s a pride thing for me. It has to be about pride when it comes to stopping the run.

Who can win the line of scrimmage? It has to be me. I never want to lose the line of scrimmage. That’s how I feel about stopping the run. If the offense can run the football, they’re going to win the game. We can’t let that happen. We can’t just let them run the ball freely.

It means they don’t have to throw the ball and risk an interception. It limits our ability to create turnovers as a defense.

I just take so much pride in stopping the run. That’s where you can change the game. If we're stopping the run, we make the offense one-dimensional. I hate seeing a team run the ball effectively. I just take a lot of pride in it. I put all of the responsibility on myself.

I have to stop the run. I took pride in my ability to do that [stuff the run] throughout my college football career.

JM: We've appreciated your time today. This has been an outstanding conversation. When a team uses a draft pick on CJ West, what kinda guy are they getting?

CJ West: You’re getting a high-energy guy. I just love the game and supporting my teammates. I’m going to enter the facility with a big smile on my face every single day. That’s the type of guy you’re getting. I’m going to work hard by putting my nose down and being coachable. I’m bringing energy every single day. I practice and play hard.

That’s who CJ West is going to be at the next level.



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