Iowa Offers AJ Epenesa

Outstanding. Sounds like no matter who comes calling Iowa will have a pretty legit shot at this young man. Glad Ferentz didn't waste any time. With kids like this you want to be one of the first to offer, and stick with him the entire way through. That way from his perspective he always knows who wanted him all along. It's icing on the cake to know that he's been a Hawkeye fan his entire life.

The best news about this is his position. I've noticed during the coaches interviews that they make it clear the single toughest position to recruit for is the defensive line. Defensive end in particular. It's rare to come across someone with the size and athleticism it takes to be an elite player at that position. Now a kid can work his way into an elite player, but young men like this are hard to find. I have no doubt the big boys will come calling, but it's awesome to know we have a chance. ISU gets lucky with a 4 star WR recruit in Lazard who happened to be a Cyclone fan his whole life. I would take a 4 or 5 star defensive end recruit over a 4 or 5 star WR any day of the week. They have the ability to impact the game on every single defensive play. WR's can only make so much of an impact. Hopefully Iowa's close ties to this young man's family will pay dividends.
 
That's awesome that Iowa got in on him early. He's going to be BIG TIME recruit, with offers from pretty much everywhere.
 
Unblockable! Hopefully he keeps progressing and we are atop his list.

Was that Zach McCabe blocking him at the 20 second mark, by the way!? I'm surprised he didn't pull a cheap shot after he got embarrassed.
 
He does seem to be very smooth and coordinated for his age. If he can maintain that and add healthy weight the next 3 years, watch out. If he stays that athletic and reaches 255 by end of SR season, he'll be as good as a freshman can be, coming in.
 
I think Epenesa could compete for playing time on the team right now! Damn. I hope he can stay grounded and true to his roots through all the recruiting hoop-lah. Those kids he is destroying in that drill are probably future d-1 players, and most likely older than him.
 
Ross P was a hawk fan growing up too. Not saying its not nice to have some sort of a connection to talent like this, but 4 years is a long time for bigger schools to pop in.
 
ShockHawk22 said:
Ross P was a hawk fan growing up too. Not saying its not nice to have some sort of a connection to talent like this, but 4 years is a long time for bigger schools to pop in.
Click to expand...
4 years is a long time and 8 is twice that long (not a math major) witch would be when he'd be a RS JR or SR... Will Ferentz be coaching still that far down the road.... And if so witch one... (see what I did there?)
 
I like Iowa's chances on this one. His dad is still a huge Hawk fan and it's a dream come true for both father and son. They are a very tight knit family and Eppy compares the family atmosphere of the Hawkeyes to the family atmosphere of Samoan's. Clearly there will be competition, but I think AJ will only be more submerged into the Hawkeye family over the next three years and it will real hard for him to turn Iowa down. I seriously cannot wait to see how good AJ is going to be.
 
Hawkfnntn said:
4 years is a long time and 8 is twice that long (not a math major) witch would be when he'd be a RS JR or SR... Will Ferentz be coaching still that far down the road.... And if so witch one... (see what I did there?)
Click to expand...

I do see what you did. You called Ferentz a witch.
 
Bohawk said:
I like Iowa's chances on this one. His dad is still a huge Hawk fan and it's a dream come true for both father and son. They are a very tight knit family and Eppy compares the family atmosphere of the Hawkeyes to the family atmosphere of Samoan's. Clearly there will be competition, but I think AJ will only be more submerged into the Hawkeye family over the next three years and it will real hard for him to turn Iowa down. I seriously cannot wait to see how good AJ is going to be.
Click to expand...

Bohawk knows what he is talking about related to this. And I know sepoy wants him to go to Iowa, too. This is much different than Ross P.
 
I hope the genes are as strong for his younger brothers if this one works out. I'd like to see the name Epenesa dotted all over the Iowa record books.......... A legacy recruit can be game-over. Look at the mess Lazard is walking in to. I sure give the kid some credit. It would be tough to turn down the big boys when you might win 10 games in a 4 year career. Iowa will usually be fighting for 10 per year. I say we do get this kid. Brian will be the offensive coordinator at the time he comes in, and head coach by the time AJ heads off to the NFL.
 
22hawkeyes said:
I hope the genes are as strong for his younger brothers if this one works out. I'd like to see the name Epenesa dotted all over the Iowa record books.......... A legacy recruit can be game-over. Look at the mess Lazard is walking in to. I sure give the kid some credit. It would be tough to turn down the big boys when you might win 10 games in a 4 year career. Iowa will usually be fighting for 10 per year. I say we do get this kid. Brian will be the offensive coordinator at the time he comes in, and head coach by the time AJ heads off to the NFL.
Click to expand...

Agree that the KF/BF window should be open for another 6+ years anyway, and that would be plenty to get AJ and his brothers in the fold. AJ is truly impressive at any age, but for a frosh to look that put together at 6'4.5'' and 233lbs he looks like a future pro. Agree that with a recruit like this, no reason not to offer now. He could be our new-age Adrian Clayborn at d-end. Speed rusher like Clowney or Gregory of Neb. Sweet....reel him in,KF!
 
JHHawk said:
Agree that the KF/BF window should be open for another 6+ years anyway, and that would be plenty to get AJ and his brothers in the fold. AJ is truly impressive at any age, but for a frosh to look that put together at 6'4.5'' and 233lbs he looks like a future pro. Agree that with a recruit like this, no reason not to offer now. He could be our new-age Adrian Clayborn at d-end. Speed rusher like Clowney or Gregory of Neb. Sweet....reel him in,KF!
Click to expand...

DJK, Higby, & Nico Law are close to officially extending AJ an invitation to the Hawkeye internet legend club.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top