Four-star recruit Iose Epenesa continues his family’s legacy and commits to Iowa football

The Epenesa bloodline continues to run through Iowa City. The latest addition is Iose, a 2025 ESPN four-star recruit who committed to the Hawkeyes on Thursday. Epenesa, whose father, Eppy, and brother, AJ, both suited up in black and gold, will arrive on campus next season, where he hopes to continue his family’s legacy on the defensive side of the ball.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 270 pounds, Epenesa is the No. 21 player in his class, according to ESPN. A native of Edwardsville, Illinois, he is ESPN’s No. 1 defensive lineman in the nation for high school seniors. Epenesa received numerous offers from other Power Four programs, including Tennessee, Texas, USC and Michigan, among others.

In his junior season, Epenesa only played in four games due to injury, but still recorded 16 total tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks. In 2022-23, the Edwardsville High School standout broke out with 56 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six sacks and one fumble recovery, according to MaxPreps. Epenesa also starred on the Tigers’ basketball and track teams, where he placed fifth in the state in the shot put.

“A defensive lineman with versatile potential across roles and schemes, with impressive functional athleticism and a powerful motor,” 247 Sports analyst Gabe Brooks wrote in a scouting report. “An elite athlete whose immense power in the shot put and discus manifests itself in point-of-attack hits and hand violence. Shows an inside-hand anvil as an edge defender.”

Brooks added that he views Epenesa as a potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft. AJ, who finished his Hawkeye career with 26.5 sacks in three seasons, was selected in the second round by the Buffalo Bills in 2020. In his final two professional seasons, AJ racked up 13 combined sacks.

Epenesa will join his brother, Eric, a junior linebacker, on the Hawkeyes. Iowa opens the 2024 season against Illinois State on Aug. 31.