CFL.ca will profile a number of key Canadian university prospects leading up to the CFL Evaluation Camp from March 12-14 in Toronto. Today we feature Joe Eppele, an Offensive Lineman from Washington State University.
Brian Snelgrove
CFL.ca
He hopes to leave his footprints – a rather daunting size 16 – on both sides of the border.
After four years as an Offensive Lineman for The Washington State University Cougars, Joe Eppele is returning home to Canada and will set his sights on a career in the Canadian Football League. Next stop: the CFL Evaluation Camp in March.
Eppele, a 6’8” 315 lb native of Brackendale, B.C. is a rarity among football players – a Canadian who spent his entire university career at a major U.S. college.
“After high school I attended a camp put on by Eastern Washington University,” says the 22 year-old Psychology Major. “I caught the eye of a scout from Washington State, ended up visiting the campus a few times and was offered a scholarship. They told me they were impressed with my athleticism, my drive and my coachability.”
“I didn’t coach him his first year but from what I have seen he made an easy transition to the American game,” says Cougar Coach Harold Etheridge. “He is a very big, athletic guy who is very well-coordinated, rangy and can move. He is very versatile and can play multiple positions, guard, tackle and on both sides of the line.”
Eppele was also an outstanding track and field athlete in high school. In 2004 he won the shot put and finished third in the hammer throw in the B.C. Provincial Championships. “At the time I was looking more into Track and Field but when the door opened, I took it,” he says of the scholarship offer.
The conversion to a U.S. college style of game was not that difficult as Eppele played American-rules football in high school. “I felt very comfortable and experienced,” he says. “I still knew I had a lot to learn, would have to get bigger and I guess the biggest thing I noticed is how intense and experienced the other players were.”
In 2007 Eppele played in all 12 games for the Cougars, mostly on special teams. He was listed second on the depth chart at left tackle.
The next year he dressed for 10 contests with a pair of starts. His first starting assignment was against Portland State. His next was against legendary U.S. college powerhouse, The University of Southern California.
“It was really exciting but I had been getting ready for a long time,” says Eppele of his first start. “It was a huge sense of accomplishment and very enjoyable. Going up against USC was amazing. I will never forget it. There had to be 100,000 people there and I just tried to treat it like any other game.”
Last season Eppele played in all 11 games and started at left tackle in three of them. He was also named to the All-Pacific-10 Conference Academic Second Team for a third straight season. The award is presented annually to students who show excellence in both athletics and academics.
“He is a very quick learner and has shown lots of improvement in the two years I have been coaching him,” says Etheridge. “He spends lots of time watching tape and isn’t afraid to ask questions.”
As for E-Camp, the Cougar Coach sees a positive future for his former player. “He may need to work on his pass protection a bit but overall has excellent skills,” he says. “In his situation a little more playing time would have made him even better. He was a quality back-up for us and played well when he started for us. I would think a lot of CFL teams will be interested in him.”
“I’m looking forward to competing against everybody,” says Eppele. “I’ve talked to some of my friends in the CFL and I am looking forward to it as a new beginning. I have drive, a competitive nature and work hard at everything I do. I have a constant need to improve and am willing to learn and accept the coaching as well.”
For a Canadian guy whose feet were too big to play hockey – “When I was about ten I went to the local ice rink and the ones they were renting weren’t big enough so I never did play,” says Eppele with a chuckle – perhaps hockey’s loss will be the CFL’s gain.
