Latest news with #DonovanEzeiruaku
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys may have stumbled into a superstar as a second-round pick angles toward starting
The Dallas Cowboys needed help at defensive end for the 2025 season. Facing the loss of long-time starter and multiple-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence, the team needed reinforcements. The club had drafted the position, highly, but had yet to reap any dominating rewards. So when the opportunity presented itself to secure themselves the potential steal of the 2025 draft, they jumped on it Dallas secured the services of perhaps the best pass-rushing defensive end of the draft when they drafted Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku. But pre-draft accolades don't matter if it doesn't manifest itself on a pro field, and while training camp isn't the real thing, what Ezeiruaku has shown in Oxnard has a lot of people extremely excited. Rundown Position: Defensive End Age: 21 Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 248 pounds Hometown: Williamstown, NJ High School: Williamstown College: Boston College (Highlights) Draft: 2025 Second Round (No. 44 overall) Acquired: 2025 draft Contract: Four-year contract (2025), $10.2 million 2025 Base Salary: $840,000, $1.85 million cap hit Profile With Micah Parsons not participating in practice due to his contract dispute, Ezeiruaku has been declaring himself as a true force to reckon with. Lining up primarily as a left defensive end, Ezeiruaku has shown a complex rush attack that is far beyond his years. He's also displayed the ability to set the edge, looking like he's ready to take on a starting role sooner rather than later. Dallas brought back Dante Fowler, who left for a season in Washington, and the expectation was that he'd be starting opposite Parsons, but that may not be the case and if it is may not be for long. The Cowboys also signed Payton Turner, a former first-round pick like Fowler, as veteran depth. They join last year's second rounder Marshawn Kneeland as Parsons' supporting cast. That's before mentioning 2022 second-round pick Sam Williams, who is looking to return from an ACL injury. Together, the Cowboys have assembled a tremendously pedigreed group at defensive end, but Ezeiruaku looks like a potential breakout star amongst the room. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys player profile: No. 31 DE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys nearly took star rookie at No. 12 pick, but got him 32 picks later
The Dallas Cowboys may have gotten a second-round draft steal. Donovan Ezeiruaku is already turning heads early in training camp. The pass rusher went at No. 44 overall. Turns out, Dallas considered him with the No. 12 pick. Here's what Stephen Jones said on Sunday: 'I give (defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton) credit," Jones told reporters. "He was on the table for him at (Pick 12 in the first round). He was jumping up and down saying this guy is the 12th pick, let's get him.' MORE: Bills' James Cook contract saga doesn't lessen his importance to Super Bowl aspirations Ezeiruaku may have felt like a reach at that point. But 32 picks later? A potential bargain. The Cowboys' defensive line has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL this season, if Micah Parsons can get his contract done. Ezeiruaku will be a big part of that, and has the potential to be a standout up front for years to come. MORE NFL NEWS: Micah Parsons risks temporary retirement, frozen contract if he leaves training camp Buccaneers holding rookie out because he weighs too much We've all been pronouncing Bijan Robinson's name wrong Raiders' 325-pound rookie is the scariest Wildcat quarterback ever Shedeur Sanders could 'realistically' end up in the CFL A toilet is helping Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf build chemistry
USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys, second-round pick finally agree to terms on eve of training camp
Dallas inks its second-round pick and finalizes all 2025 draft deals before heading to Oxnard. The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $10.1 million with rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku. Dallas' first-year defender will reportedly see the first three years of his deal guaranteed, and 38% of his fourth-year salary guaranteed, the long wait, was sparked due to a league wide standoff with second round picks and their agents trying to secure fully guaranteed deals, after Texans' WR Jayden Higgins, pick No. 34, became the first second rounder in NFL history to sign a fully guaranteed rookie contract and was followed by Browns' LB Carson Schwessinger at pick No. 33 to the same deal, which has caused several second round picks to sign late in the offseason and now following the signing of Ezeiruaku, 19 players overall from round two have still not signed their rookie deals. Dallas selected Ezeiruaku at pick No. 44 in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Boston College. The signing of Ezeiruaku secures Dallas' entire 2025 draft class just days ahead of the start of training camp in California. During his time with Boston College, Ezeiruaku recorded 215 tackles, 30 sacks, 47 tackles for loss, and eight forced fumbles. In his senior season, the 6-foot-2, 237-pound defender cemented his name on the NFL's radar, finishing with 80 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. As a result, the Williamstown, New Jersey native was named the 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a Consensus All-American, First-team All-ACC, and was the 22nd winner of the Ted Hendricks award, which is given annually to the nation's best defensive end. Ezeiruaku will play alongside a defensive end group that features All-Pro Micah Parsons, a returning veteran in Dante Fowler Jr., and Sam Williams, who Dallas lost last year during training camp to a torn ACL. Dallas will report for its 2025 training camp period on Monday, July 21, with the first official practice set for Wednesday, July 23. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
NBC Sports
18-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Cowboys and second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku agree to rookie contract
The latest second-round draft pick to get his rookie contract done just before training camp is Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku. Although there hasn't been an official announcement, the Cowboys' website notes multiple reports saying Ezeiruaku has agreed to terms. The pace of second-round draft pick signings has been slow this year amid disagreements between teams and agents about how much of each pick's rookie contract will be guaranteed. There's no immediate word on the guarantee Ezeiruaku got, but suffice to say it will be less than the full guarantee the top three picks of the second round received, but more than the 44th overall pick last year got. Ezeiruaku played his college football at Boston College and last year was the ACC defensive player of the year, a first-team All-American, and the winner of the Ted Hendricks Award for the best defensive end in college football.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Rookie Previews His ‘Deep Arsenal of Moves'
Cowboys Rookie Previews His 'Deep Arsenal of Moves' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - Different players on the Dallas Cowboys defense have taken their turns having breakout campaigns in recent seasons. Micah Parsons lit up the league in his rookie season and Trevon Diggs nabbed a staggering 11 interceptions in 2021. Advertisement Da'Ron Bland then entered the spotlight in 2023, setting the NFL record for pick-sixes in a season. Last year, it was DeMarvion Overshown who provided an explosion and burst at the linebacker position that the Cowboys have missed for some time. These impressive showings all came from players young in their careers yet foundational pieces on the Dallas defense. So the obvious follow up is then... who's next? The Cowboys added several impressive defensive pieces through the draft and free agency. But one stood out in terms of the overall excitement from the team and the fan base. Second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku had a first-round grade on some boards before falling to the Cowboys at No. 44 overall. Thus far, the enticing attributes of his profile have translated to the team's offseason programs and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has taken note. Advertisement 'He's doing really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really great. You can't watch the guy and not get excited just watching him do the things that we're doing out there on the grass, the things that we saw coming out of Boston College. And then the work ethic is elite.' There's plenty of buzz behind Ezeiruaku. Can he maintain that through the rest of summer and into training camp? He's got his own feel on this based on his "deep arsenal of moves.'' I have a deep arsenal of moves,'' he said, via @TheDraftNetwork. "I obviously love that speed rush to the outside. Whether that's a cross chop or the side swipe, I love using my hands to deflect the OTs hands." Advertisement Sounds promising. Assuming the Cowboys finish Parsons' extension and he is back on the field for good, they are not completely void of pass rushing talent. They also return Dante Fowler Jr. after a brief stint with the Washington Commanders where he had 10.5 sacks. There's not a pressing need for Ezeiruaku to figure it all out in his rookie season. But it's hard to imagine a player who had 16.5 sacks at the Power 4 level a few months ago cannot find a way to contribute immediately on the professional stage. The attention Parsons draws will create opportunities for others on the defensive front. Ezeiruaku is a fine candidate to benefit from that extra attention. ... on the way to unleashing his "arsenal of moves.'' Advertisement Related: Cowboys' Micah Parsons Says 'Soon' With Cryptic New Musical Message Related: Cowboys Rookie Predicted to Be Better Than Travis Hunter This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
