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Donovan Ezeiruaka Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell
Strengths:
- Fast edge rusher
- Natural quarterback hunter
- Quick reaction off the ball
- Speed around the corner
- Burst to close
- Excellent repertoire of pass rushing moves
- Long arms (34 inches)
- Uses length well
- Good, active hands
- Effective arm over move
- Effective spin move
- Strong for his size
- Holds up well in run defense for his size
- Cognizant to go for the strip
- Ready to contribute immediately
Weaknesses:
- Could be tapped out physically
- Small, undersized edge rusher
- Tweener OLB/DE
- Will have limitations as a run defender
- Can get overwhelmed by mass
- Won’t have a power bull rush vs NFL tackles
Prospect Summary:
In 2022, Ezeiruaka became a starter for Boston College and had a strong debut with 61 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. The next season, his numbers dipped to two sacks and two forced fumbles, with 53 tackles and 6.5 tackles for a loss. As a senior in 2024, Ezeiruaka was one of the best players in the nation and was living in the opponent’s backfield. He had 16.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for a loss, 80 tackles, one pass batted, and three forced fumbles.
For the NFL, Ezeiruaka is a natural quarterback hunter with serious pass rush ability. Ezeiruaka is quick off the ball and has enough speed to get around the corner. While he is not Von Miller fast or explosive, Ezeiruaka has a burst to close and can win with speed. Ezeiruaka has long arms (34 inches), and he uses his length well to keep tackles at a distance and keep them from getting into his chest to latch onto him. With his long arms and active hands, Ezeiruaka has a very effective swim and arm-over move to get on the edge of tackles and then charge past them. He also throws in a dangerous spin move, so tackles have to be prepared for a variety in pass rushing moves from Ezeiruaka. In pursuit, Ezeiruaka can break down in space and adjust to the quarterback. He won’t ever have a dominant bull rush as a pro at his size, but he has a developed repertoire of moves and ways to win. Ezeiruaka has double-digit sack potential as a pro edge rusher.
As a run defender, Ezeiruaka is always going to have some limitations in the NFL. While he is strong for his size and battles tough, Ezeiruaka is undersized and will be giving up 50-90 pounds versus pro offensive tackles. Ezeiruaka can get engulfed with mass and overwhelmed by bigger, stronger tackles. Hence, he is a tweener as an outside linebacker/defensive end. Ezeiruaka may end up becoming a starting Strongside linebacker who moves to end in the subpackage.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, Ezeiruaka could be a late first-round or early second-round pick.
Prospect Comparison:
Yannick Ngakoue. In terms of style of play, Ezeiruaka reminds me of Ngakoue coming out in 2015. Ngakoue was an effective pass rusher for many years in the NFL despite being undersized. Ngakoue also had limitations as a run defender. Ezeiruaka looks very similar to Ngakoue.
RELATED LINKS:
2025 NFL Mock Draft - April 13
NFL Power Rankings - March 28
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
