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 the 49ers 7th round pick, West’s teammate:
Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana Hoosiers
Bio blast: The Canada native ended a prolific college career by helping guide Indiana to a historic 10-0 start and a shocking CFP appearance. He was among the many notable transfers who joined Cignetti, after earning MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022 at Ohio, where he made 33 starts. Rourke was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in his only season with Indiana, where he was a finalist for the Manning Award and a semifinalist for other national honors. He became the first Big Ten quarterback since 2000 to pass for 250 yards and three or more touchdowns in his first three conference road games. Rourke completed 69.4% of his passes for 3,042 yards, 29 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions.
Scouts Inc. ranking: No. 252 overall, No. 10 quarterback, grade of 45
What else to know: Rourke has good size at 6-4 and 220 pounds. He played through a thumb injury last fall and went the entire season with a torn ACL, his second during his college career.
“He made great decisions, accurate throws, played within the chains,” a Big Ten coach said. “He knew where he was on the field, played highly intelligent. They called a really good game around him because they could see he could process it. So I think he’s very special, and I could see that being reflected in the draft.”
The 49ers would have had a great chance to win the Super Bowl had Brock Purdy not suffered an injury in the NFC Championship in Philadelphia a few seasons ago. This past year, the offense looked anemic against the Green Bay Packers without Purdy.
The job of a backup quarterback is to come in and give your team a start or two per season in the event your QB1 misses time. “Great decisions, accurate throws, played highly intelligent,” screams a Kyle Shanahan quarterback.
In a dream world, Rourke never sees the field. But it rarely works out that way. After needing surgery in January, it’s unlikely Rourke will be ready for training camp. Mac Jones’s contract voids after the 2026 season, meaning the Niners should have a backup on a rookie contract for at least two years.