Iowa football player AJ Epenesa is a projected top-10 pick by draft analysts, but he’s not letting that get in the way of dominating his junior season.
If you follow the Iowa football team closely or the NFL Draft you know AJ Epenesa is an incredible talent who could literally change the fortunes of a franchise next year. He is widely regarded as a top-10 pick and either the first or second best defensive end in the country (depending on who you ask).
For a true junior in college, it can be tough dealing with that hype, but Epenesa is no stranger to the hype or handling it successfully for that matter. As a 5-star defensive end coming out of high school, expectations have been sky high for him the moment he set foot on campus.
And through his on-field play, albeit in limited snaps, he has done nothing to dispel the notion that he will be a superstar. His talent is off the charts as evidenced by him leading the Big Ten in sacks as a sophomore playing in a backup role.
Now with roughly six months until he will need to make a life-defining decision about whether to stay with the Iowa football program or to turn pro, he is getting some questions regarding the buzz.
As can be expected by an Iowa football player, he is handling the question with grace and humility. Here was his answer to the question (courtesy of Rob Howe from Hawkeye Nation) asking about the NFL Draft hype:
"The first thing that comes to mind is that’s pretty cool. It’s a life long dream but whenever I think about it I try not to think too hard about it because I don’t want it to distract me from other things. Obviously, it’s a blessing to be put up that high with other big names and some of the other guys that i know that are good at the game of football. I really focus on trying not to think abou tit too much because i don’t want it to take away from my game."
I love this response. You can be the most unaware person in the world and still know that you’re a projected first round pick. To answer it in this fashion acknowledges that he knows what is being said about him. It shows his appreciation for his talents and the recognition from NFL teams, and it shows that he isn’t going to let him bother him.
AJ Epenesa is in line to make millions of dollars, yet, he is more concerned about going out and kicking some butt for the Iowa football team this year.
I love that.