Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Features / Epps proves excellence on both sides of the ball

Epps proves excellence on both sides of the ball

November 6, 2014 by Collin Thompson

From offense to defense to special teams, ACU junior Jonathan Epps can do just about anything on the football field.

Epps is second on the team in all-purpose yards with 788 behind freshman redshirt running back De’Andre Brown’s 949 yards coming from passes and kick and punt returns. He also plays a key role on the defensive side of the ball, recording 24 total tackles and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown as a cornerback.

After transferring from Tyler Junior College this season, Epps scored his first touchdown of the year on Oct. 25 against Sam Houston State after catching a 14-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Parker McKenzie.

“It felt good,” Epps said. “I was excited. I guess it came at a good time. I didn’t like the fact that we (were) losing, but getting to score a touchdown is always great, so I was excited about that.”

Epps played defensive back for TJC his freshman year but was moved to receiver for the Apaches last season as a sophomore, finishing the season with 26 catches for 322 yards and one touchdown.

But Epps said coming to Abilene has been a huge change for him on the field and academically.

“(Getting to play for a Division I program) is great,” Epps said. “Especially because I love ACU and the program and the culture. Coming from a junior college to a D1 program was a big difference. The talent, the school, the classes, just everything is great. I’m blessed to be here, really.”

Epps said football and the ACU football program as a whole were important in his decision to transfer to ACU, but his beliefs were at the forefront of his selection.

“(My faith) was the biggest part of it,” Epps said. “One of the reasons why I came to ACU is not because of the program, not because of the people, none of that. I sat and I prayed all summer and I felt like this is where God was taking me so I just went with it. That’s why I’m here.”

Epps is the Wildcats’ best utility player. He is able to play receiver, kick and punt returner and cornerback and even gets to rush the ball every once in a while. Epps said by playing multiple positions, he can emulate the play of many different professional football players, including one of his personal favorites.

“I’ll say one of my favorite athletes is Percy Harvin because he’s so versatile,” he said. “From catching punts to getting the ball and getting a bit more explosive, that’s somebody that I’ll watch before games and model my game after. I just love the way he plays.”

From his 97 receiving yards, his 45 rushing yards, his more than 500 kick and punt return yards and his two interception game against Central Arkansas, Epps has become the team’s most adaptable player, and earns his reputation as one of the best multi-role players in the country.

“It doesn’t mean much,” Epps said. “I do whatever I can to help the team. It’s not about me. I love my teammates, I love my coaches, everything about it. There’s no ‘I’ in team and whatever coach asks me to do, I’ll do it. Sacrifice, sacrifice.”

Epps said all his responsibilities on and off the field limit time to himself, but he has to persevere.

“All my effort goes into my schoolwork and trying to become a better athlete, and in order to become a better athlete, I have to cut out some time with my girlfriend and you know, gotta go lift weights and put in extra,” he said. “I’m always putting in extra work. I don’t like anybody to outwork me, so I stay after practice to catch balls, I come in when the coaches don’t ask me to and do anything I can to become a better athlete to achieve my goals. There’s really no free time. But, it’s worth it.”

Epps has high hopes for himself and his future as a football player, and ACU is just the place to prepare him for the goals he’s set for himself.

“As a Division 1 football player, for me, my goal ultimately is to make the NFL,” Epps said. “The chance of that is slim, but I try not to think of it like that and try to put all my efforts toward it. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen, but if it does, that’s great. That’s something I want to do.”

Epps and his fellow ‘Cats will play their final home game of the season against Northwestern State at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Filed Under: Features, Showcase, Sports Tagged With: Football

Other Features:

  • Sisters promotes safety in sisterhood, no strings attached

  • Blue Skye and sunshine in Taiwan: Gill named newest Fulbright scholar

  • Smilin’ Bob: Remembering the life and legacy of Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Hunter

About Collin Thompson

You are here: Home / Features / Epps proves excellence on both sides of the ball

Other Features:

  • Sisters promotes safety in sisterhood, no strings attached

  • Blue Skye and sunshine in Taiwan: Gill named newest Fulbright scholar

  • Smilin’ Bob: Remembering the life and legacy of Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Hunter

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
16 Feb

Black Student Union, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have joined together to plan events that educate others and provide celebrations during Black History Month. Read more:
https://acuoptimist.com/2023/02/black-history-month-events-educate-celebrate-acu-community/

Reply on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Retweet on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Like on Twitter 1626340622872285184 2 Twitter 1626340622872285184
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
11 Feb

BREAKING: Robert D. “Bob” Hunter, vice president emeritus, passed away Saturday. Hunter served as a representative of the 71st district of Texas and worked part time with ACU until 2013.

Reply on Twitter 1624540404690436097 Retweet on Twitter 1624540404690436097 4 Like on Twitter 1624540404690436097 23 Twitter 1624540404690436097

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

1 day ago

The Optimist
Next for Optimist staff introductions is our photographer Sarah. "Hello! My name is Sarah Eunyoung Thompson and I’m originally from Ewa Beach, Hawaii. I am here as a sophomore majoring in graphic design. Some of my favorite hobbies include: art, ping pong, photography, singing, and thrifting." ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

4 days ago

The Optimist
Starting off our staff introductions is Optimist News Writer Brylie Leach."Hi! My name is Brylie Leach, and I'm a sophomore communication sciences and disorders major and journalism minor from Savoy, Texas. My favorite thing about ACU is the community and Christ-centered environment. I truly feel like I can grow in my faith, and I have made so many memories and relationships that I will cherish forever. I'm looking forward to being a part of The Optimist staff for a second year and having the privilege to tell the stories of others."---------------------------------------------------------------#acuoptimist #optimist #studentmedia #acu #abilenechristianuniversity ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 22, 2023

Our top stories this week include the passing of Dr. Bob Hunter, a new endowment ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 8, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved