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Iowa football: Where each former five-star recruit in the Kirk Ferentz era is

By Andrew Wade

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 8: Jake Rudock #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes takes a huddle with his teammates against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter on November 8, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 8: Jake Rudock #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes takes a huddle with his teammates against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter on November 8, 2014 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 06: A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes tackles Mohamed Ibrahim #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 06: A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes tackles Mohamed Ibrahim #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

AJ Epenesa

Epenesa was the second best recruiting commitment the Iowa football team has ever received. Coming out of Edwardsville, Illinois, AJ, the son of former Hawkeye football player Eppy Epenesa, was the 27th ranked prospect in the nation.

Fortunately for Kirk, AJ loved the team and community that the Iowa football team has and committed early to the Hawks. Since joining the program, he has been a force as a reserve defensive end garnering All-Big Ten honors this season and making our short list for potential All-American candidates next season.

In just two seasons, Epenesa has racked up quite the impressive stat line. He has 50 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three passes defensed and four forced fumbles. Additionally, he added a touchdown return to his resume this season.

He is in line to start for the Iowa football team next season, and the college football world better watch out as he is going to wreak havoc on opposing team’s tackles. It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes down as the best five-star recruit in Iowa football history.