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Why San Francisco 49ers picked Indiana defensive tackle CJ West in 2025 NFL Draft

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12 months ago

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Why San Francisco 49ers picked Indiana defensive tackle CJ West in 2025 NFL Draft


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The San Francisco 49ers selected former Indiana football defensive tackle C.J. West with the No. 113 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon.

He’s the first Hoosiers defensive lineman drafted since Denver picked Jammie Kirlew in 2010 and first defensive tackle selected since the Raiders drafted Nolan Harrison in 1991. He’s the highest selection for the program since 2018 when Ian Thomas was drafted by Carolina with the first pick in the fourth round (No. 101 overall).

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CJ West played a central role in IU’s historic success 

West made the jump to the Power Four last season as a highly coveted spring portal entry out of Kent State. Indiana beat out the likes of Wisconsin, Michigan, LSU and Florida State to land the veteran defender who started 35 games for the Golden Flashes. 

He was a key presence on IU’s defensive front with 40 tackles (14 solo) with 7.5 for a loss and two sacks in 13 games (420 snaps). Per Pro Football Focus, West had 25 quarterback pressures and 22 defensive stops (tackles that constitute a failure for the offense). 

CJ West was a standout at the 2025 NFL combine

The defender bolstered his draft hopes with a standout performance at the combine. The 6-foot-1, 316-pounder was named to the league’s All-Combine team after putting up a 4.95 40-yard dash and 33-inch vertical jump. 

He earned a 9.15 RAS score — a metric that combined an athlete’s physical measurements and athletic testing numbers — that ranked among the top 200 players tested from 1987 to 2025. 

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Why CJ West was a fit for the San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco is reloading on the defensive line under new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

The overhaul started when the 49ers released both of their Week 1 starters at defensive tackle (Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins) during the offseason. Hargrave was a prized free agent acquisition, but struggled to stay on the field and the defense struggled against the run.

They used three of their first five picks to draft defensive linemen — they drafted Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams with the No. 11 overall pick and Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins in the second round (No. 43 overall).

West will get an immediate chance to join the team’s rotation up front.

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Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.





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Indiana

Monday storm blows across northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio

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4 hours ago

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April 14, 2026

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Monday storm blows across northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio


NORTHEAST INDIANA (WANE) – A storm system passed through northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio on Monday evening, leaving a substantial amount of damage in its wake.

Monday night’s storm warranted thunderstorm warnings throughout the viewing area, including Steuben, DeKalb, and Allen counties in Indiana, along with Defiance, Paulding, and Van Wert counties in Ohio.

The storm itself lasted about an hour, but caused chaos by downing unstable trees and signage from strong winds.

Thousands reported power outages across the Fort Wayne area, with a handful of outages in Ohio’s northwest region.

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Viewers from across the WANE 15 viewing area shared photos documenting the storm as it blew through, with additional weather phenomena:



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Indiana

Physical guard commits to Indiana basketball from transfer portal: Stats, highlights

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17 hours ago

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April 13, 2026

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Physical guard commits to Indiana basketball from transfer portal: Stats, highlights


BLOOMINGTON — Darian DeVries’ backcourt rebuild got a boost Monday, with the news that Georgia Tech guard Jaeden Mustaf intends to transfer to Indiana.

“ALL IN,” Mustaf posted on social media announcing his decision.

Mustaf, a Maryland native who was once a target for Mike Woodson and Indiana’s previous staff, averaged 10.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game across 29 appearances for Georgia Tech last season. The 6-foot-6 guard is also a career 37.2% 3-point shooter, though not at significant volume.

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Importantly, Mustaf is a big-bodied guard who rebounds his position well and draws fouls at an above-average clip. Last season in Atlanta, he had 4.2 fouls drawn per 40 minutes, and 4.4 in ACC play, a top-25 number in the conference. He also finished his sophomore season scoring the ball well — Mustaf averaged 14 points per game in the Yellow Jackets’ last nine, and 16.3 per game in their last six.

His arrival strengthens a guard rotation that will need remade essentially from the ground up this spring. The Hoosiers’ only returners don’t play the position, and DeVries signed just one out-and-out guard, Prince-Alexander Moody, in the 2026 class.

Follow along: Indiana basketball 2026 transfer portal tracker. Who’s left?

On Moody: Indiana basketball recruit impresses former NBA player, wants to add recruits, more

Mustaf’s commitment hands the Hoosiers a strong, capable guard with high-major experience and multiple years of eligibility remaining around which DeVries and his staff can build.

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Mustaf was at one time a target for Woodson, coming out of high school. Mustaf played with Overtime Elite before making the move to college.

  • Trevor Manhertz, forward, freshman
  • Prince-Alexander Moody, guard, freshman
  • Jaeden Mustaf, guard, senior
  • Vaughn Karvala, forward, freshman
  • Trent Sisley, forward, sophomore

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.



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New Hope of Indiana launches $4 million campaign to transform campus

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1 day ago

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April 13, 2026

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New Hope of Indiana launches million campaign to transform campus


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A $4 million transformation is in the works for New Hope of Indiana, the largest nonprofit residential services provider for individuals with disabilities in Marion County.

New Hope says the ‘Imagine More’ capital campaign will fund key improvements to New Hope’s 14-acre campus at 8450 Payne Road. It’ll include a new community and multi-purpose space, expanded and inclusive outdoor areas, a commercial kitchen for life-skills and employment training, and renovations to improve accessibility, safety, and overall experience.

Photo Provided by New Hope of Indiana.

New Hope has already raised $3.35 million toward its gold, including a $1.5 million matching gift from United Way of Central Indiana. During their campaign’s launch Monday, New Hope says they plan to raise the remaining $650,000 to complete the campaign, the largest in its history.

“As we celebrate 48 years of service, this campaign represents an important step forward for New Hope and the people we serve,” Allison Wharry, president and CEO of New Hope of Indiana said in a release.

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“Imagine More is rooted in listening to the individuals and families in our community, and creating spaces that support dignity, independence, and a strong sense of belonging. We are grateful for the momentum that has brought us this far and excited to invite the community to help us finish,” Wharry said.



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