32 college football players destined to be future first round picks

32 college football players destined to be future first round NFL Draft picks

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Jerry Jeudy #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scores a first quarter touchdown reception past Tanner Muse #19 of the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers scrambles in the first half in front of defensive end A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on November 23, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

10. A.J. Epenesa – Defensive end, Iowa

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has master the art of finding elite prospects and choosing not to play them nearly as much as he should. Ferentz usually displays this philosophy with his tight ends, but in 2018 decided to try it on defense by only playing their best pass rusher A.J. Epenesa 412 snaps.

Epenesa still managed to lead the Big Ten in sacks with 10.5, total 16 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. Putting up those kinds of numbers with limited snaps is impressive, and with Anthony Nelson now on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Iowa will have no choice but to rely more on Epenesa.

One look at Epenesa and you can tell he is not someone to mess with. Standing a 6’6″ and weighing 280 pounds, he brings strength like a bull rusher and anchoring ability in the run game. Epenesa was a three-sport athlete growing up so despite being massive, he can change direction far better than anyone his size should.

If allowed to be more of a focal point on the team, Epenesa could be a destructive force in the Big Ten this season and earn himself another first-team All-Big Ten selection. NFL teams will be watching Epenesa very closely this season, and the hype is genuine with this guy.

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