LSU, Michigan, and top college football programs all chasing the same defensive tackle in the Transfer Portal

Why all the interest in West? He was an all-conference player in the MAC last season, racking up 40 total tackles, two sacks, and pressured opposing quarterbacks nearly 10% of the time on pass rush snaps (great for interior defensive tackles). West is 6'2", 315 pounds, plays with great strength, and brings way more burst than should be possible at his size.

There's already some speculation and comparisons of CJ West to Braden Fiske, a star defensive tackle who also left the MAC last year for Florida State, inevitably becoming an early round prospect for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. That would be quite the leap for West as he wasn't even ranked inside the top 1000 players in his recruiting class just a few short years ago, but with his size and athleticism it might just be possible.

LSU looks like the early leader for his services as they'll be hosting him here soon and have a big need that he could fill immediately.  He could perhaps play most every snap in for the Tigers in 2024 if he joined them. However, don't overlook Michigan as a strong candidate to land him. West is from the suburbs of Chicago. The short drive to Michigan's campus is a much easier path for his friends and family than a trip to the deep south. And Michigan already boasts perhaps the best defensive front in the nation. He would be able to learn from the best, joining a program who is set to send a handful of defensive tackles to the NFL Draft this year and next already.

We'll be back with an update on CJ West as news emerges in the coming days. Be looking for more LSU, Michigan, and College Football coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!