These three former Iowa football players stood out in Week 3 of the NFL season

Week 3 of the NFL season is in the books, and there were former Hawkeyes making plays all over the field.

Long tight-end grabs, defensive touchdowns, high snap counts — all things associated with Iowa football at the pro level were on display this week. The three names below are different from the former Hawkeyes who made this list in Week 1 and Week 2, further indicating Iowa’s NFL depth.

Here are three former Hawkeyes who shined brightest in Week 3.

A.J. Epenesa, Buffalo Bills DE

Everyone on the Buffalo Bills got right in Sunday’s 37-3 thrashing of the Washington Commanders. Epenesa was right in the middle of things, hauling in a 32-yard pick-six that gave Buffalo a 30-0 lead in the fourth quarter.

The highlight play marked Epenesa’s first professional interception and touchdown. It’s his first end-zone visit overall since Epenesa’s 19-yard fumble return against Illinois in 2018.

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions TE

Detroit and Sam LaPorta seemed like a perfect match on draft day, and it’s playing out just like that on the field. Along with becoming the first rookie tight end in NFL history to have five-plus catches in each of his first three games, LaPorta hauled in his first professional touchdown.

The 45-yard score came on a beautifully designed play that left LaPorta wide open for Jared Goff to hit. That TD helped propel Detroit to Sunday’s 20-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions LB

Campbell capped Sunday’s first half in style, walloping Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder to earn his first professional sack.

Overall, Campbell finished with six tackles as he continues to grow in the middle of Detroit’s strong defense.

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.