West back to help Flashes head North in 2024

Kent State Graduate Student CJ West had a big year in 2023 for the Flashes.  The 6-2, 315 pound massive defensive linemen from Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, Illinois recorded 50 tackles, including seven for a loss and a forced fumble.  For his efforts, West was named 3rd Team All Mid-American Conference.  Shortly after the season ended, West was one of a number of teammates who announced he had some unfinished business at Dix Stadium.

“I’m thrilled to return to Kent State, eager to join with my teammates once again to work towards our common goal,” West took to twitter in December.  “Working together, we’ll continue to shape and elevate this program.  Being part of a community dedicated to altering the narrative is inspiring.  Kent State feels like home, and the spirit of blue and gold truly courses through my veins.  I’m geared up for another season of Kent State Football.”    

West returns with veterans, junior Oliver Billotte, graduate student Matt Harmon and junior Stephen Daley to form a solid defensive line that will look to improve even more in 2023.  

#5 spoke to the media back in March before the Flashes began spring practice.  He knows there is room to improve as a unit and honed in one aspect in particular.

“That wasn’t even our best,” West said.  “We’ve got so much more room to improve, we got a lot of work, working on pass rush and getting the quarterback down.  That’s our biggest thing that we’re focused on is actually finishing that play.  We got close so many times.  That’s what we worked on so hard this winter and spring.  We’re just looking forward to what we can show and what we can do and continue to get closer and bonding.”

West, who had interest from Minnesota and several other MAC schools coming out of high school, is also focused on improving his individual game. 

“I feel like the biggest part of my game is working on my pass rush and being able to finish those plays and becoming more agile at the point of attack.  Being able to move side to side a little better.”

Kent State students will get a chance to interact with West this Saturday at student day, followed by kids day on April 20, culminating with Flash Bowl on April 27.

West is hoping the Flashes can change the narrative in 2024, and just maybe, if his D-Line can dominate the way they think they can, head North to Detroit in December.