A.J. Epenesa not being picked to represent Iowa at Big Ten Media Day is kind of strange
By Pat Harty
CHICAGO – Only those closely connected to the Iowa football program truly know what goes into picking the players to attend Big Ten Media Day.
So the rest of us, including the media, are left to wonder why Iowa junior defensive end A.J. Epenesa wasn’t one of the three players picked to represent the Hawkeyes at this year’s annual event.
Epenesa seems to fit all of the criteria that you would want in a player representative, from his dominance on the field as a defensive end to his high character to his intriguing story as a Hawkeye legacy.
And yet, he still wasn’t picked to represent the Hawkeyes heading into what almost certainly will be his last season at Iowa, assuming he skips his senior season to enter the 2020 NFL Draft as many expect him to do.
Iowa instead chose to send senior quarterback Nate Stanley for the second year in a row, along with senior defensive back Michael Ojemudia and junior running back Toren Young.
And while all three are deserving in their own way, it just seems kind of strange that Epenesa wasn’t picked to represent Iowa at such a prestigious event.
I’m not screaming conspiracy or suggesting that Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz plays favorites, because for one thing, how would I know?
And two, I don’t think Ferentz operates that way.
So there must be a good reason why the 6-foot-280-pound Epenesa isn’t representing Iowa this week in Chicago.
That’s why I asked Ferentz to address it on Friday and this was his response.
“It’s nothing personal,” Ferentz said. “One thing I’m amused by is A.J. hasn’t started a game for us yet, I don’t think, and he’s like the fifth best player in the country and all that stuff.
“But what a great kid he is and what a great guy he is to have on our football team. High energy and just wants so badly to do well.”
Epenesa is unique in that he made first-team All-Big Ten and led the conference with 10.5 sacks as a true sophomore last season, and did so as a reserve.
“I think the most important thing I can say about A.J. is he’s an unbelievable teammate and he really cares about the guys he’s with, not only in the defensive line room, but the entire team,” Ferentz said. “He’s just a great teammate and an unbelievable human being.
“And I’m really confident that he’s going to play really good football this year. Obviously, he’ll get more opportunities now because we’re not as deep at that position, whereas a year ago we were. But the time is here for him to go play and he’ll play real well, and hopefully, he’s standing with us next year.”
Ferentz gave a similar answer at last year’s Big Ten media day event when asked why star tight end Noah Fant wasn’t picked to represent the Hawkeyes. Ferentz spoke highly of Fant and said that he hoped Fant would be in Chicago representing Iowa as a senior.
But instead, Fant skipped his senior season and is now preparing for his rookie season with the Denver Broncos after having been selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Assuming Epenesa plays well this season, the odds of him returning for his senior season are likely slim to none.
That’s why it would’ve made more sense to bring Epenesa to Chicago this year.
But on the other hand, this is hardly a controversy and I don’t want to give the impression that Epenesa is being treated unfairly.
I just think Iowa missed an opportunity to promote a special player and a special young man on a big stage.
It could be that Epenesa doesn’t even care that he was passed over because he is humble and a team-first guy and because he knows that he will get plenty of exposure and attention during the season.
And it’s also worth noting that Ohio State didn’t pick defensive end Chase Young to represent the Buckeyes despite his star status.
Iowa also didn’t pick junior running back Mekhi Sargent to attend media day even though he is listed as the starter and led the team in rushing last season.
Sargent is also on the Doak Walker preseason watch list, so he, too, has a story to tell.
My guess is that media day means a lot more to fans and to the media than it does to the players and coaches.
Ferentz is hardly a fan of Big Ten media day, so perhaps he thinks he is doing Epenesa a favor by keeping him home.
Whatever the case, this discussion will soon fade away and the legend of A.J. Epenesa will continue to grow, even without a trip to Chicago.