Iowa football: AJ Epenesa not on top CFB freaks list, but Tristan Wirfs is

The Athletic has ranked Iowa football’s Tristan Wirfs as the top freak in college football. Surprisingly, A.J. Epenesa was not present on the list.

In 2017, Tristan Wirfs became the first true freshmen to start at the tackle position for Kirk Ferentz’ Iowa football team. The former four-star prospect came to Iowa ranked as the third-best prospect in the state and the 33rd best offensive tackle in the country. He’s lived up to the hype you could say.

Projected to go in the top-5 of the 2020 NFL Draft, Wirfs was recently rated as the best college football freak. Oddly enough, he and not A.J. Epenesa sits at the top of this list. Both guys will be juniors this season and both have been freaks at their respective position.

Epenesa was a former five-star prospect from Edwardsville, Illinois and came to Iowa ranked as the top strong-side defensive end in the country. He’s tallied 15.0 sacks and 22.0 tackles for loss in his first two seasons as a part-time player, but it’s Wirfs getting the recognition here.

https://twitter.com/ESPNCFB/status/1106685320106557440

"Last year, the Hawkeyes had one of the biggest freaks in college football in tight end Noah Fant. This year they have the biggest, most powerful Freak of them all. The 6-5, 320-pound Wirfs smashed Brandon Scherff’s (Freaks Class of 2014) school record in the power clean by pumping out four reps at 450 pounds. And keep in mind Wirfs only turned 20 in January. – Athletic"

There’s no doubt Wirfs really is a freak. Pro Football Focus had him responsible for four quarterback pressures but did not allow any sacks. Aside from being a terrific run-blocker, Wirfs has the ideal size and strength that all NFL scouts love.

Iowa could very well find themselves having two top 5 draft picks next April, which would mark the first time in history that would happen. Talk about a freak occurrence.