Iose Epenesa will achieve an impressive NIL value

No matter how poorly the rankings reflect the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2025 recruiting class, in many ways it won’t matter whether Kirk Ferentz and his team can sign edge rusher Iose Epenesa from Illinois.

Epenesa is a player with a long tradition whose father and brothers played for the Hawkeyes. Fittingly, he is the top prospect on the Hawkeyes’ recruiting list this year.

Iowa fans would love to see Epenesa announce his commitment to the Hawkeyes, but there is no timetable for his signing yet. However, according to On3, the Hawkeyes are currently the favorites to land him, although Miami and Missouri are also strong suitors.

Of course, On3 also reports the NIL value of many college athletes, and Epenesa is no exception.

On3 has broken down how much the best edge rushers of the 2025 class can earn, taking into account the roster value each player brings to his team and his own NIL value.

On3 estimates that the top 5 edge defenders, including Epenesa, will have an average NIL value of $240,000.

Epenesa himself is valued at $206,000 on his On3 player profile page, a value that could increase if On3 gives him a 5-star rating.

In the eyes of 247Sports, Epenesa is a 5-star player, making him the 15th overall player in his class and the sixth best defensive player.

The 6’4″, 270-pound pass rusher was praised as the best athlete of the Epenesa brothers by the oldest of the group, AJ, who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. Iose recorded 12 sacks in his high school career and also played tight end and made impressive contributions to the track team.

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