2020 NFL Draft: AJ Epenesa a better prospect than Nick Bosa?

Is Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end AJ Epenesa a better pro prospect than Nick Bosa coming out of Ohio State? We talk about that and more on the NFL Mocks podcast.

There’s a big difference between prospect hype and hyperbole, and Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end AJ Epenesa is certainly worth all the hype he’s been getting since he stepped on campus.

It’s not often these days that Iowa reels in a five-star prep prospect. The Hawkeyes and Kirk Ferentz are sort of known for their ability to develop underdogs and unheralded prospects, turning three-star players or less into a five-star college program.

So, it makes sense that when Ferentz and his staff get their hands on a no-doubt, sure-fire top prospect, he’s going to develop exceptionally well.

And Epenesa has.

Listed at 6-foot-6, 280 pounds, Epenesa has been everything the Hawkeyes thought he could be, and in 2019, I think we’re going to get to see him take the next step as he proves to the entire nation that he’s a  legitimate top five talent for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Despite not yet being a snap eater and every down, every drive player for the Hawkeyes, Epenesa led the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks a year ago, and was fourth in the conference with 16.5 tackles for loss. He ranked second in the conference with four forced fumbles.

This guy knows how to beat offensive tackles to the quarterback, and he does it with a combination of power and speed unlike many guys coming out in recent years.

I don’t mean to single any out, but because he was the first defensive player taken in the most recent NFL Draft, I have to provide you all with my hot take of the offseason and tell you that I think Epenesa is a better prospect than Ohio State’s Nick Bosa.

This is a hill I will die on.

I talked about this recently on the NFL Mocks Podcast with Brooks Austin, near the end of the show, about my belief in Epenesa being a hill I will die on.

I also still need to convince Brooks that Iowa’s offensive line is better than Georgia’s, but that could be a multi-year discussion.

It’s unique to see a player Epenesa’s age breaking down film the way he does. He sounds like a seasoned veteran with the way he’s recalling plays, recalling the way he studied specific offensive tackles, and the way he watches tendencies and adjusts to different traits like power, length, etc.

I’m even more impressed by Epenesa having listened to him for two minutes there compared to just seeing him dominate on the football field.

NFL teams are going to covet this kid and I can’t wait to see what he’s going to do with the Hawkeyes in year three. Instead of being a NASCAR package guy, Epenesa should be an every-down player and tackles are going to have a really hard time dealing with him all game.