WR D.J. Epps’ hard work is finally paying off, emerging as a top slot for WVU
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MORGANTOWN -- Through almost two weeks of camp, slot receiver D.J. Epps has separated himself from the rest of the pack as a leader. But Epps wasn't always the leader of the room. At Troy, he started at rock bottom and walked on to the Trojans. He redshirted his first season and played in just one game in Year 2. It was a slow grind for Epps.
In Year 3, Epps finally caught his first pass and played in six games. That was his only catch of the season. He kept working.
"I really had to earn everything I have, and I eventually got on the field these last couple years, and I just took advantage of it,” Epps said.
Most players would transfer after three years of not registering a start and having just one catch. But he stayed, determined to earn a start. In his fourth year, Epps finally broke into the starting lineup, and he completely took advantage of every rep he received.
Epps had 47 catches, 512 yards and five touchdowns, playing in 14 games and starting in 10. After four years, Epps finally found the end zone. He still has that ball.
"It was a great feeling," Epps said. "Knowing all the hard work paid off. It was really a great moment for me, and I cherish it a lot, for sure."
After his four years at Troy, Epps wanted a shot at playing in the Power Four level and transferred to WVU. He had a couple of offers, but he picked the Mountaineers because of Rich Rodriguez and his leadership. Epps felt Rodriguez could take his game to another level, and hopefully win more games.
Epps has already caught the attention of his inside receivers coach Logan Bradley and Rodriguez. Epps takes coaching well, knows when the blitzers are coming, and can tell what coverage the defense is in.
Even if he didn't really see the field the first three years, Epps still has a lot of knowledge of the game.
"It’s not as much as 'Hey, let me teach you this coverage. Let me break this down,’ football 101," Bradley said. "When you do that to him, it’s like 'Oh yes, sir, I know this, I know that.' It kind of helps. It makes you as a coach comfortable."
Being the leader of the room is a bit new to him. Epps was always learning as a walk-on at Troy. He watched his teammate Tez Johnson, who is on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now, but now Epps is the one being watched.
"I wouldn’t say I really was a leader at Troy, but it’s something I’m going into now," Epps said. "Being here at West Virginia really pushed me to try to be more vocal, and that’s something I’m trying to do better at each and every day."
Epps won't be just a slot receiver for the Mountaineers. Rodriguez mentioned him as the top punt returner right now, and he could return kickoffs, too. At Troy, Epps ranked No. 2 in the Sun Belt with 554 return yards on 23 kickoffs with a long of 79.
"Obviously, I just try to help the team in as many different ways as possible," Epps said. "Wherever the coaches need me, that’s what I’m gonna go do, and try to do my best at it."
Based on his career, it makes sense Epps gives everything WVU throws at him his all. He's had to, or else Epps wouldn't be where he is now -- the top slot receiver for the Mountaineers.
"He puts his head down and works," Bradley said. "He’s not surprised by any look that comes his way. He understands the grind that comes with being in for five plays in a row when you're tied going tempo. That makes you feel good as a coach."