The 49ers' fourth-round NFL Draft choice certainly made a good impression with the media after the Niners drafted him.
The San Francisco 49ers' approach of wholly infusing rookie talent into their defensive line via the 2025 NFL Draft continued into Round 4 with the No. 113 overall selection, Indiana defensive tackle C.J. West.
West, a squatty 6-foot-1 and 316-pound 1-technique defender, has a mean streak and won't refrain from plugging up interior gaps to stop inside runs.
And that's why the Niners drafted him.
Shortly after the selection, West met with Bay Area media and had some provocative things to say that'll endear him to San Francisco fans everywhere.
C.J. West is eager to 'abuse centers' on opposing teams
West is ready to get violent, putting things lightly.
"I can do it everywhere, but my bread and butter is at the 1-technique," the defensive tackle declared. "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."
Big MOOD 😤
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) April 26, 2025
[via @CJWEST50 / IG] pic.twitter.com/lUccwpfEdV
Indiana DT C.J. West was wearing a #49ers hat during his post-pick Zoom meeting with media.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) April 26, 2025
“My agent sent it to me. This is the only one. The only one I'm rocking, all of the other ones are all the way in the garbage somewhere."
West continued by describing his interactions with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, highlighting their "passion" and energy.
It's understandable why both Saleh and Kocurek likely circled West as a key "go get" player for the 49ers early on day three of the draft.
CJ West was drafted in round 4 pick 113 in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.16 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 172 out of 2033 DT from 1987 to 2025. https://t.co/6jVfmHSoWT pic.twitter.com/okRB0R2dx2
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 26, 2025
"I'm ready to take that role," West continued. "But also, I'm ready just to learn from all the older guys. I'm a sponge when it comes to that. I love picking veterans' brains and just kind of getting the ins and outs of the league, and picking up the playbook and learning everything in and out like the back of my hand."
The fourth-round rookie joins two other D-linemen selected by the 49ers, Mykel Williams in Round 1 and Alfred Collins in Round 2.
West won't shy away from being a name to watch behind those two, however.