2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE – Boston College)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Boston College defensive lineman Donovan Ezeiruaku. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Donovan Ezeiruaku

Donovan Ezeiruaku (DL – Boston College)

6-foot-2 | 247 Pounds

Background

New Jersey native who was a 210-pound, three-star recruit. Donovan Ezeiruaku has been a significant contributor since his freshman year when he posted 21-4.0-3.0 over 230 snaps. Has been starting ever since the second week of the following year and posted 61-15.0-8.5 as a freshman and 53-7.0-2.0 as a sophomore. Is currently having by far his most productive year to date in 2024, leading the FBS in sacks as of the time of writing.

Positives

One of the most experienced, productive EDGE rushers in the class, and is coming off of a monster 2024 campaign. Has added nearly forty pounds of bulk in school and is starting to fill out his frame with what looks like solid length. Plays from a stable base with good knee-bend. Takes on blocks with extension and shows a pretty good anchor when setting the edge. Shows discipline when left unblocked as the read man.

When using his speed rush, quick reactions and long strides help Ezeiruaku threaten the edge. Shows good flexibility in his lower body to bend a smooth arc. Contact balance is impressive to stay on track through the rush. Uses his hands effectively to keep defenders out of his pads and has a little bit of ability to convert speed to power. Mostly plays out of a two-point stance, but shows good lateral quickness to threaten gaps with inside moves when rushing with his hand in the dirt.

Ezeiruaku does a nice job of mixing in inside moves to keep defenders from setting up too far outside, with a nice swim move. Knows how to modify his tempo to keep opponents off balance. Very sudden. Gets pressure on the second effort by identifying free lanes. Good finisher who attacks the football and whose length gives him an impressive radius. Drops into zone look fundamentally sound.

Negatives

His listed size is closer to adequate and may have to continue adding a bit of bulk. Gets preoccupied with taking on blockers and can lose track of the ball-carrier at times. Can be a rush-first player, and would like to see a little bit more gap discipline.

Ezeiruaku is flexible but not necessarily the smoothest overall mover. Gives effort in pursuit but isn’t the most explosive straight-line athlete. Probably not going to bully too many pro tackles with his raw power. Wins with his first move, but often ends up idling around the line when that doesn’t work. Coverage responsibilities were somewhat limited, although he took some more snaps there this year.

Summary

A polished, experienced pass-rusher who has a refined game, with a quick first step. Has good flexibility and contact balance, active hands and the ability to mix up his rush approach between rushing around the edge and working inside moves.

Ezeiruaku’s senior season has him rightfully skyrocketing up draft boards, although there’s not a major power element to his game right now. He will likely have to continue developing functional strength and diversify his counters. Looks like a second-day pick at this point.

Projection: Round 2/Round 3