‘The 6-foot-6, 280-pound all-American led the Hawkeyes in sacks in each of the past two seasons and led the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks as a junior while earning all-conference honors despite playing a reserve role as part of a rotation at an end position on the Hawkeye defensive line.’
Archives for April 25, 2020
Hawkeyes’ Epenesa, Ojemudia land in familiar territory
‘Epenesa said during a conference call Friday he was somewhat disappointed when he wasn’t taken earlier, but likes the idea of joining a defense which ranked third in the NFL in fewest yards allowed. “This defense has proven what it can do and they’re adding me to it, so they believe that I can contribute,” Epenesa said. “My mindset coming in is that I’m helping team as much as I can.”‘
Buffalo ends Epenesa’s wait with second-round selection
‘Bills starter Josh Allen was the first player Epenesa sacked in his first college game in 2017.’
Edwardsville graduate Epenesa selected by Buffalo in second round of NFL Draft
‘Epenesa will join a Buffalo team on the rise. The Bills placed second in the AFC East with a 10-6 record a year ago. Buffalo dropped a 22-19 decision to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card Game.’
AJ Epensa: ‘I’m going to Buffalo’
‘Within minutes of AJ’s name being called, neighbors quickly flocked to the Epenesa front yard to wish the newest member of the NFL good luck with a champagne celebration and horns honking.’
Bears take Utes’ Johnson in Round 2 of NFL draft; Blackmon, Moss and Burgess go in third round
‘Moss, last season’s Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,416 yards and 16 touchdowns, was projected as a likely second-day pick, but was selected after a handful of running backs he was predicted to go before. Moss was ultimately the eighth running back taken on Friday night between the second and third rounds.’
Utah’s Zack Moss drafted by Buffalo Bills in third round of 2020 NFL draft
‘Moss returned to the Utes for his senior campaign in 2019 after having his junior season cut short by injury, and he responded by surpassing Eddie Johnson as the program’s all-time leading rusher by midseason, finishing his Utah career with 4,167 rushing yards. He broke six school records in 2019, was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the year and ended the season with 1,416 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in earning All-America honors.’
Hallandale’s Zack Moss set records at Utah. Now he’s headed to the Bills in NFL Draft
‘“He’s calm off the field,” said Chaminade-Madonna coach Dameon Jones, who coached Moss for his senior season with the Chargers, “but on the field he’s a monster.”’
Hallandale, Utah running back Zack Moss drafted by the Buffalo Bills
‘“He was an all-around back,” said Jones, who is now the head coach at Chaminade-Madonna. “He was a gamer. There were a lot of games he won by himself. Just talking about a kid with tremendous power and strength and speed and vision for a back. And he catches the ball just like a receiver coming out of the backfield. I knew he was going to be special.”’
Bills Draft Iowa DE AJ Epenesa, Utah RB Zack Moss
‘“I don’t know exactly why he fell. I assume he fell because of his 40 time and some people knocked him a little bit on that,” Beane said, referring to Epenesa being timed a a relatively slow 5.04 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL’s scouting combine. “But you know how I don’t care about that stuff. I’m looking for football players. And he’s a damn good football player.”’
Bills take A.J. Epenesa with their first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft
‘Epenesa was thought, by many, to be a first round talent, but fell to the 22nd pick of the second round before the Bills selected him. The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder led the Big Ten in sacks in 2018 (10.5) and finished third last season (11.5). He ranks sixth all-time in the conference with 26.5 career sacks. Epenesa also finished 10th in the Big Ten with 14 tackles for loss last season.’
2020 NFL Draft scouting report: A.J. Epenesa – Buffalo Bills
‘Epenesa, who struggled at the NFL Combine, but was a force in Iowa’s defense the last three years, leading the Big Ten in sacks his sophomore season and put up equally impressive numbers as a starter this past year as a junior.’
Bills select running back Zack Moss in the third round of the NFL Draft
‘The 5-foot-9, 223-pound Moss is an aggressive, downhill runner, who not only doesn’t shy away from contact, but seems to welcome it. He’s tough to bring down, especially for smaller defensive backs once he gets going in the open field. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described Zack Moss’ running style as “like watching an exercise in controlled violence on just about every carry.”‘
Bills select A.J. Epenesa with 54th pick in 2020 NFL Draft
‘Epenesa wasn’t expected to be on the board when the Bills hit the clock in the 2nd round so this is a good and unexpected get. He’s a well-rounded player that’s effective at both stopping the run and getting after an opposing quarterback. He was a play-maker for the Hawkeyes during his career, recording 26.5 sacks and 36 tackles for loss. That included 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles last season.’
Bills find great value & fill position of need with A.J. Epenesa pick
‘Epenesa’s hand-work and strength off the edge are two of the traits most often pointed to when discussing the 21-year-old defensive end. If you search his name on social media, you’ll find countless videos showing Epensa “swiping” his way by opposing tackles before swallowing up the seemingly helpless quarterbacks. His size and strength are the first two things you notice when watching his highlights. But some think his speed will limit his success at the next level.’