As he announced Thursday, the 2025 four-star pass rusher and No. 114 player in the country. Iose Epenesa He decided to attend the University of Iowa. Iose, a legacy recruit, Eppie Epenesa Former Hawkeye’s younger brother AJ Epenesa As a Walk Online Backer Eric Epenesa.
Epenesa, a native of Edwardsville, Illinois, chose the Hawkeyes over the rest of the top five. Miami, Florida, Missouri, Utahand Pennsylvania State University.
He made official visits to each of the aforementioned programs.
Throughout the course of his official visits, Eppie made sure Iose got everything he needed from each visit and didn’t feel any pressure to ultimately choose the Hawkeyes.
“I’m an Iowa guy. I’ve been an Iowan my whole life,” Eppie told PowerMizzou. “My kids are different. I don’t want them to think that I forced them to go to Iowa and didn’t give them a chance to look outside of Iowa. I want my son to pick where he fits, pick the coaches he’s with, pick the position coach that’s right for him. This is about my kids. It’s not about me or my wife.”
At the same time, Eppie wasn’t shy about how he felt about the Hawkeyes throughout the recruiting process, saying, “I’m very proud of the Hawkeyes. Kirk (Ferentz) “The staff did a great job welcoming my son, Iose, and his family into Hawkeye Nation. I’m thrilled and proud. Thank you, Kirk and Hawkeye Football, for a great weekend.”
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But at various points in his recruitment, Miami and Utah appeared to have solid chances to land the youngest Epenesa.
After his visit to Miami he said: About Hurricanes:
“There’s a family here. At some schools, you feel like you’re basically on your own, but here it felt like there was more of a family aspect to it. Everybody likes each other for the most part, so it was good to see that.”
National Recruiting Analyst Greg Smith adds: On the possibility that Epenesa landed in Dade County:
“Being coached by a Hall of Fame player Jason Taylor “It meant a lot, and the Hurricanes did everything they could to make Epenesa feel like Miami was the right place for him during his official visit.”
Fellow recruiting analyst Adam Gorney Agreed Part of June:
“[イオセ][Iose}islookingforsomethingdifferentthewordisthatEpenesa’sbesttripsofarwasatUtahovertheweekend[Iose}islookingforsomethingdifferentthewordisthatEpenesa’sbesttripsofarwasatUtahovertheweekend
The University of Utah might be the sneaky pick here.”
Despite pressure from other interested schools, the Hokies were able to land Epenesa thanks to family ties, previous success and familiarity.
Epenesa is Iowa’s 14th enrollee in the 2025 enrollment class. Scott Starzick, Brad Fitzgibbon, Charles Bell, Drew McPherson, Lucas Allgeier, Cameron Herron, Mason Woods, Thomas Mayer, Eli Johnson, Jimmy Sullivan, Carson Cooney, Burke Gocher and Joey VanWetzinga.
