A.J. Epenesa so far is as good as advertised
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Shortly after A.J. Epenesa arrived in Iowa City in early June, I started hearing great things about him.
And it wasn’t just hype from somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody close to the Iowa football team.
It was praise from reliable sources with good information and with no reason to exaggerate.
The early reports on Epenesa from June said that he was as good as advertised, which is saying a lot considering his status as a five-star defensive end recruit.
I was told that he had no sense of entitlement despite his mega-recruit status, but that he did have mad skills and a work ethic to match.
We’re now seeing proof of that with the 6-foot-5, 270-pound Epenesa already having made Iowa’s two-deep lineup, which was released on Monday. The Edwardsville, Ill., native is listed as the backup behind junior Parker Hesse at right defensive end.
Epenesa was among seven true freshmen listed on Iowa’s depth chart for Saturday’s season opener against Wyoming at Kinnick Stadium.
Most of the seven freshmen are expected to play backup roles, while Epenesa and receiver Brandon Smith should see considerable action.
One of the first things I heard about Epenesa this summer is that he is a quick learner and fundamentally sound in addition to being a physical freak.
Iowa star linebacker Josey Jewell echoed those sentiments after the Kids Days practice on Aug. 12 by calling Epenesa a physical freak.
Kirk Ferentz also has fed the hype machine, which he rarely does for a player with no college experience.
“He is a guy that my sister could tell you he’s pretty good,” Ferentz said of Epenesa earlier this month. “It’s pretty obvious he is a good football player.”
Epenesa showed his immense skills during the Kids Day practice by recording three sacks. He used quickness, strength and leverage to consistently gain an edge on his blocker.
Epenesa from a talent and hype standpoint is the kind of recruit that usually signs with one of the traditional powers like Ohio State or Alabama.
But he also is different because his father played football at Iowa and loves the Hawkeyes.
Eppy Epenesa didn’t force A.J., to attend his beloved college alma mater, but Eppy made it obvious that he wanted his son to be a Hawkeye.
He did so because Eppy is loyal to the Hawkeyes, but also because Eppy believes in Kirk Ferentz and trusts that he will watch over his son and help turn him into a man.
Because of his physical maturity, it is easy to forget that A.J. Epenesa still is just a kid who turns 19 on Sept. 15. Just because he has star potential doesn’t mean he is above having growing pains.
Saturday’s season opener will mark the start of what could be a special career for Epenesa as a Hawkeye.
He still has to prove it at the college level, but the early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.