If there’s been one universal truth about the Iowa Hawkeyes in the past decade, it’s that they’re going to have a ferocious defense.
The team has had no shortage of offensive struggles, but a defense that has regularly finished in the top 10 in defensive categories across the board has mitigated the struggles and led the Hawkeyes to a bowl game every season since 2012.
Unsurprisingly, the defensive dominance has led to a recruiting edge for Kirk Ferentz’s team. That was on display again on Thursday when the Hawkeyes landed a commitment from 2025 four-star defensive end Iose Epenesa.
Epenesa, a 6’4 edge rusher from Edwardsville, Illinois, is the 21st overall player in ESPN’s 2025 recruiting rankings and the top defensive end. He chose Iowa over several other schools, including Penn State, Miami, Utah, and more.
Epenesa is also the fourth member of his family to play football for the Hawkeyes. His father, Eppy, played at the school in the 1990s. Brother AJ Epenesa played for the Hawkeyes from 2017-19 and was a two-time member of the All-Big Ten first team. Nathan Epenesa, another brother, is currently a walk-on linebacker for the Hawkeyes.
“I had to ask questions about every single school. It was all about depth charts and what really fit me and what was easiest for my family. The biggest thing for me was having my family come out and watch my games and to see me every once in a while. My brother is up there right now, and it’ll be awesome to play with him,” Iose Epenesa told ESPN.
[ESPN]
