Marcus Epps Gets Chosen By The Vikings In The NFL Draft

For the third consecutive year, a former Wyoming Cowboy was selected in the NFL Draft last weekend, when Marcus Epps went in the sixth round to the Minnesota Vikings.

Epps was the 18th pick of round six, No. 191 overall.

After last Saturday’s Wyoming Football Spring Game, head coach Craig Bohl took a moment to reflect on the news.

“It was great to Marcus Epps get drafted today (Saturday), really happy about that when you’re talking about safeties.”

Epps journey has been well-chronicled. From a walk-on to a redshirt to a three-time team captain. The Los Angeles native came to UW in 2014 and sat out his first year in school. He then earned a starting spot at safety and was rewarded a scholarship. Epps started 49 consecutive games for the Pokes and 50 total in his career.

He made 325 career tackles, which is good for No. 11 in school history. Epps also had nine career interceptions. That is tied for fourth all-time in the program.

This is also the fourth time in the five years under Coach Bohl that Wyoming has had at least one player selected in the NFL Draft. Mark Nzeocha was a seventh-round pick in 2015. In 2017, Brian Hill went in round five, followed by Chase Roullier in the sixth round. Then, of course, QB Josh Allen made school history as the highest-ever former Cowboy chosen at No. 7 overall by the Buffalo Bills.

Unfortunately, Epps ended up the lone Cowboy chosen over the three days and seven rounds.

Four former Pokes have signed free-agent deals with pro teams. Andrew Wingard signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Austin Fort with the Denver Broncos, Nico Evans with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Tyree Mayfield with the San Francisco 49ers. Two other former Wyoming players, Chavez Pownell Jr., and Sidney Malauulu have been invited to the 49ers Rookie Mini Camp May 3-5, 2019.