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A.J. Epenesa signs rookie deal with Buffalo Bills
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It’s official, A.J. Epenesa is a Buffalo Bill.
Late last week, Epenesa signed his rookie contract with the franchise. He inked a four-year deal worth $5.8 million after being selected by the Bills with the 54th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Epenesa spent three seasons at Iowa and was a former five-star recruit. The defensive end opted to pursue a career in the NFL rather than returning to the Hawkeyes for his final season at the college level.
During the 2019 season, Epenesa helped lead Iowa to a 10-3 season, which included a big victory over USC in the Holiday Bowl. He totaled 49 stops, 14.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three pass break-ups in 13 games.
Epenesa entered his junior season as a projected first-round pick in this year’s draft. However, a sluggish start to the season and some poor numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine cost the former Hawkeye a potential shot at a first-round status. Still, Buffalo was high on the defensive end and believes he can fit right in to the defensive scheme.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB