Edwardsville grad AJ Epenesa named Associated Press second team All-American
A dominant force in the Big 10 Conference for the past two years, AJ Epenesa has earned his highest honor.
The 2017 graduate of Edwardsville High School and current defensive end at the University of Iowa, the 6-6 280-pound Epenesa has been named as a second team All-American for the 2019 season by the Associated Press.
Epenesa, who last week was named as a first team all Big Ten Conference selection for the second year in a row, currently has 45 tackles, including 29 solos. He also leads the team in tackles for loss with 12.5 and has nine quarterback sacks. For his college career, he has 94 tackles and 24 sacks.
A two-time Big 10 Defensive Player of the Week this season, Epenesa had the finest game of his career in the Hawkeyes regular season finale against Nebraska. He was credited with 14 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for loss in the Hawkeyes’ 27-24 win.
Iowa is ranked 16th in the nation and will take a 9-3 record into their Holiday Bowl game against Southern California on Dec. 27.
An all-state selection in football, basketball and track and field as a senior at Edwardsville, Epenesa is projected as a first-round pick in the NFL Draft in April. In the Sports Illustrated Mock Draft, Epenesa is projected as the No. 14 selection by the Oakland Raiders.
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 1:01 PM.
