Edwardsville graduate Epenesa selected by Buffalo in second round of NFL Draft
AJ Epenesa will soon be shuffling off to Buffalo.
An Edwardsville High School graduate who became of the top collegiate defensive ends in the nation during his three years at the University of Iowa, Epenesa was taken in the second round and with the 54th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills Friday at the 2020 National Football League Draft.
Epenesa’s selection was Buffalo’s first of the draft after the Bills traded four picks, including their first-rounder (22nd overall), to acquire receiver Stefon Diggs from Minnesota last month, according to the Associated Press.
The 6-5, 275-pound Epenesa, a second team All-American defensive end this past season with the Hawkeyes, joins Philadelphia Eagles defensive back/special teams player Craig James as Edwardsville High School graduates currently in the NFL.
The wait to be selected in the draft, held remotely due to COVID-19, was longer than expected for Epenesa, who before the start of the draft Thursday was thought to be a probable late first round pick. Instead, the 2017 Edwardsville High School graduate was a late second round choice.
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.
The 2020 NFL Draft concludes Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.. The draft can been seen on ESPN and the NFL Network,.
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 9:28 PM.
