Donovan Ezeiruaku DE/EDGE Boston College | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Donovan Ezeiruaku DE/EDGE Boston College
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/21/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (91%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 02/21/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (91%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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83% |
| Pass Rush: |
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94% |
| Run Defense: |
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91% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#72
Position rank:
#22
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| College Games: 48 College Snaps: 2092 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
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247 RATING: 83/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| BJ Ojulari - LSU |
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91% |
| Arnold Ebiketie - Penn State |
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87% |
| Jonah Elliss - Utah |
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82% |
Draft Profile: Bio
After cutting his teeth as a multi-sport athlete at Williamstown High School in New Jersey, where Donovan Ezeiruaku competed in everything from discus to triple jump, Ezeiruaku brought that explosive athleticism to Boston College. His journey from rotational piece to ACC Defensive Player of the Year showcases the steady progression that makes scouts take notice. That development culminated in a monster 2024 campaign where he tied the BC single-season sack record with 16.5 while racking up 20.5 tackles for loss, consistently wreaking havoc in opposing backfields.The transformation really began during his sophomore year when he earned Second-Team All-ACC honors, leading the Eagles with 8.5 sacks and 14.5 TFLs. Though his junior season saw a statistical regression with only two sacks, Ezeiruaku used that adversity as fuel, exploding in 2024 to become the nation's premier pass rusher. His relentless performance against Western Kentucky - 14 tackles, three sacks, and a game-changing strip sack - highlighted his ability to completely take over games. The season culminated in him winning the Ted Hendricks Award as college football's top defensive end.
What jumps off the tape most about Ezeiruaku is his technical refinement and football IQ. This isn't just an athlete playing edge rusher - this is a technician who consistently sets up offensive tackles with sophisticated rush plans. Whether it's a well-timed euro-step to create space or a sudden arm-over counter when tackles overset, Ezeiruaku approaches each snap with purpose.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Masterful technician who strings together pass rush moves with the timing and grace of a veteran, consistently forcing tackles to guess wrong on his attack angles
- Natural bend and ankle flexion allow him to turn impossibly tight corners, maintaining speed while reducing his surface area to a minimal target
- Explosive first step paired with quick diagnostic skills lets him shoot gaps and disrupt plays before they develop, especially evident against zone runs
- Uses his length exceptionally well in the run game, creating separation with precise hand placement and timing to shed blocks cleanly
- High-level processing speed shows up in his ability to counter back inside when tackles overset, keeping blockers off balance with his variety
- Relentless motor and pursuit mentality led to multiple clean-up sacks, never giving up on plays even when initially blocked
- Advanced rush setup ability, consistently working moves in combination rather than relying on single moves in isolation
- Exceptional flexibility through his hips and ankles allows him to contort his body through tight spaces while maintaining balance
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Frame limitations show up against power, particularly when bigger tackles can get their hands on him early in the rep and drive their legs
- Lacks ideal anchor strength to consistently set a firm edge against the run, sometimes getting displaced laterally by double teams
- Will occasionally get too focused on winning with finesse moves when a simple bull rush would be more effective
- Despite good burst, doesn't possess elite straight-line speed to consistently win purely with athleticism at the next level
- Still developing consistency in his hand usage, particularly in quickly countering when his initial move gets stuffed
Scouting Report: Summary
Ezeiruaku profiles as a designated pass rush specialist who will make his initial impact on passing downs while developing his all-around game. His polished rush moves and natural feel for attacking tackles should translate well to sub-package duties. Smart coaching staffs will maximize his effectiveness by deploying him primarily in wide-9 alignments where he can operate in space and utilize his technical skills.His performance against top competition showed both promise and areas for growth. While he flashed impact ability with two sacks against Florida State, he'll need time to develop the functional strength and consistency required for every-down duty in the NFL. His frame limitations mean he'll likely need a specific role rather than being asked to play in multiple fronts early in his career.
The best fit for Ezeiruaku will be with teams running one-gap 3-4 schemes that can utilize him situationally while developing his complete game. His technical foundation and natural movement skills provide an intriguing base to build upon, but expectations should be managed early as he adapts to the physical demands of the NFL game.
Donovan Ezeiruaku percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Donovan Ezeiruaku (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
48.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.