Epenesa Declares

[RobHowe]

AJE and TW are freakish athletes. Once they go through these pre-draft workouts (combine, pro day, individual), they will be Top 15 picks, at least.

Mark it down.

The No. 15 pick in last year's draft, Dwayne Haskins, signed a $14.5M deal with a $8.8M signing bonus.

 

[4thngoal]

No?

I'd argue the optics of TJ and Fant were what intrigued Elijah Yelverton and Luke Lachey, 2 very high quality TE recruits, and it nearly got us Theo Johnson.

There's 9 Iowa players participating in the AFC and NFC championship games this weekend (several of which are major players). Recruits notice that.

UofI should put a commercial on during every game wishing those 9 luck. That would help it get noticed.
Wish AJ all the best, it's been fun watching him play in the black and gold.

 

[Stanzi]

I’m still holding out hope Wirfs returns.

 

[RobHowe]

I’m still holding out hope Wirfs returns.

You're setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[1hawkeye1]

Apparently, AJE is unaware of the 40 page thread at cyfan called "Epenesa Mired in Mediocrity." Lotta bright fball minds over there.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Most popular player in the NFL by a mile? A Hawkeye TE.

Patrick Mahomes played TE at Iowa? I must have missed a few games in that stretch.

 

[Fryowa]

Patrick Mahomes played TE at Iowa? I must have missed a few games in that stretch.

Do you guys even have TV in Mississippi?

 

[Healzya]

Can't blame the fella at all. Not one bit. Good for him. Just wish the 49ers would be a good fit for him but they don't need him nor will they be drafting high enough... However if 9ers decide to let Armstead go as a FA and want to be aggressive and trade up for him I'd be all about that noise

If the niners trade up, they are going corner.

 

[Stanzi]

You're setting yourself up for disappointment.

Oh I don’t actually expect him to return, but hey, until he declares, as Jim Carrey would say, so you’re saying there’s a chance?

 

[99topdawg]

Patrick Mahomes played TE at Iowa? I must have missed a few games in that stretch.

I think he did before he pitched for the Twins.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Do you guys even have TV in Mississippi?

No, but when I am out and about, the so called jerseys that I see people wearing are always for Mahomes, Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly (sp), and DeShaun Watson. Never once have I seen someone rocking a Kittle jersey. I can see how he would be super popular in Iowa, though. But just because the 2,200 people in your county love him doesn't mean he is that big nationally because Mahomes is the undisputed numero uno in the NFL right now.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Like this means anything.

It must suck going through life hating everything.....

 

[homes]

I’m still holding out hope Wirfs returns.

You're setting yourself up for disappointment.

We are Iowa fans. It's in our DNA.

 

[Fryowa]

No, but when I am out and about, the so called jerseys that I see people wearing are always for Mahomes, Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly (sp), and DeShaun Watson. Never once have I seen someone rocking a Kittle jersey. I can see how he would be super popular in Iowa, though. But just because the 2,200 people in your county love him doesn't mean he is that big nationally because Mahomes is the undisputed numero uno in the NFL right now.

You need to get out more, then. The Piggly Wiggly in Tupelo ain’t exactly representative of the first world states.

 

[pythagoras]

Patrick Mahomes is definitely more popular than Kittle nationwide. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a boob.

http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000001074119/top-25-highest-selling-nfl-jerseys-of-october
http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000001083634/top-25-highest-selling-nfl-jerseys-of-november

 

[EstronHawkKing]

Just remember, he has two little brothers..........

 

[PCHawk]

Didn't want him anyway.

 

[CP87]

Fans notice that. -FIFY

The Athletic just did a piece about Iowa's early enrollees for Spring (Yelverton, Richman, G. Williams).

Yelverton had 36 offers, including LSU, Michigan, Florida, Auburn, etc.. Iowa recruiting coordinator Tyler Barnes mentioned the Fant/Hockenson factor as being really important for getting a kid like Yelverton on campus. Once he got here, he loved the atmosphere.

This publicity will not be enough to seal-the-deal on recruits. But it can make some take notice of Iowa when they otherwise wouldn't have. Beyond that, it is up to the coaches to sell what the program has to offer.

 

[KCTrainer]

Both in the top 10 might be a little tight. Neither are the top ranked guys at their positions and in Wirfs' case there are 3 other top flight tackles that could go ahead of him because they're great too. Plus there are 3 QBs that will get picked early too. This year's draft is absolutely loaded at several positions.

I disagree, Wirfs is going to blow some minds at the Combine with his strength and agility. He will jump up and be the # 1 tackle selected.

 

[okeefe4prez]

You need to get out more, then. The Piggly Wiggly in Tupelo ain’t exactly representative of the first world states.

I thought I needed to watch more TV. I wish I watched more TV because I need cutting edge news like they have in that Microsoft commercial with the gal who is some sort of "coach" for the 49ers. I hope they win it all so ESPN can do a 40 day marathon about her and how she shattered glass ceilings and is a trailblazer. Those sort of stories bring a lot of value and are far better than the boring live sports content ESPN used to show.