HOUSTON – When imposing Pitt tight end and Dekaney graduate Malcolm Epps participated in the Texans’ local prospect day, he had some enriching moments as he met with coach DeMeco Ryans and the AFC South champions’ staff.
A former Under Armour All-American ranked as the fourth-best tight end coming out of high school, Epps is a former Texas Longhorns blue-chip recruit and USC transfer.
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“It went good,” Epps told KPRC 2 in a telephone interview. “I would love for my hometown team to pick me up. It was a good experience. I met with good people. We just really talked to coaches and got to know them better, talked about life. It was a great experience, a humbling experience. Coach DeMeco is a very cool dude, very upbeat and happy. Watching him play and grow and now being the head coach, it’s kind of crazy.”
Epps (6-foot-6, 257 pounds) caught 58 passes for 999 yards and 12 touchdowns in three varsity seasons and also lettered in basketball and track and field.
Epps also participated in the Buffalo Bills’ local prospect day. Playing at Pitt, Epps would see Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles Rams’ retired NFL Defensive Player of the Year and former Pitt All-American, all the time along with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
“It was different, it was good, it made me be a pro and it was good for me knowing I can play in any environment, including cold weather,” Epps said. “It was good for my confidence. I did see Aaron Donald one time. Dude is built like a sculpture. I got to talk to Coach Tomlin. He’s down to earth.”
Epps played one season at Pitt after playing three years at Texas and two at USC. He played in 49 career games with 12 starts with 37 career receptions for 483 yards and seven touchdowns. He had nine catches for 115 yards last season for Pitt. At USC, he had 13 catches for 191 yards and three touchdowns with one interception against Fresno State defending a Hail Mary pass. At Texas, he had 24 catches for 292 yards and four touchdowns in 23 career games with seven starts.
“I’m a mismatch problem,” Epps said. “I can take the top off any linebacker’s head, get in and out of my cuts. I’m a playmaker. I’m a guy who lives and dies by this. I need this in my life to be a good face of the league and I’m ready to give my all to the sport.
“I would be lying if I said I don’t like catching passes more, but I love blocking. I’m a very willing blocker. I’ll throw my shoulder pads at anybody.”
Epps graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human dimension of organization from Texas. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.
“It’s very exciting wondering if I’ll get picked up and where I’ll go,” Epps said. “It will be good for me and my family. I’ll be the happiest guy in the world and give it my all. When I’m done playing football, I want to coach and give back to the community.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
