ANOTHER SLEEPER ASSOCIATED WITH PANTHERS IN FIRST ROUND

Boston College EDGE/PASS RUSHER Donovan Ezeiruaku.  The kid is a stud, but sheesh, he had 80 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 16 Sacks in 2024.  Not sure how many forced fumbles he had, but you can see them on this video. 

His name was mentioned on Panthers.com today in a discussion with Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus. 

Many are saying the two guys from Georgia are not established enough, and don't have "exact positions", so they would be projects at best (Jalen Walker, etc), and the kid from Michigan isn't going to make it to #8, he'll be gone. 

This could also allow the Panthers to trade back a few spots and still get their starter on Defense.   This kid will start day one in a 3-4 Defense.

Check out Mel Kiper's thoughts on him:

Mel thinks he's a late 1st or early 2nd round pick, but not because he can't play but because the talking heads focus on one or two other guys:

Portion about him starts at 29:47  ;)

Good find.  Anyone know if anyone from the Panthers have met with him?

Seems like once upon a time the Panthers drafted a stud from BC.

Good find.  Anyone know if anyone from the Panthers have met with him?

Seems like once upon a time the Panthers drafted a stud from BC.

I don't know if they have met with him or not, but yeah, it seems like I remember hearing about (and predicting the draft of) a stud linebacker from Boston College a few years ago

Oh, by the way, here is the link to the article on Panthers.com

https://www.panthers.com/news/trevor-sik...r-panthers


And an excerpt from that article:

Early-Round Prospect: Donovan Ezeiruaku

"Donovan Ezeiruaku is a target that I absolutely love for (the Panthers) at No. 8 (overall) that I don't think is getting talked about enough," Sikkema said. "We hear a lot of names like Jalon Walker—I'm a little bit more hesitant on him just because there's not quite a home base for him, not that he can't learn it, it just make take a little bit of time for him. Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M, you could think about him, but he's a little more of that heavy handed, hand in the dirt, 4-3 defensive end.

"But this dude (Ezeiruaku) was more productive. And I think this dude's an even better run defender than those guys are as well. Little bit lighter weight for all those guys but Ezeiruaku showed up at the combine around 250 pounds, said 'I'd be comfortable playing at 255.' He already shows a well-versed variety of pass rush moves.

"It's just this understanding of how and why pass rushing works. It's not just the stats, which he has great ones, it's not just the PFF grades, which he has great ones. It's just an overall understanding of how to be a really, really good edge rush player."

Ezeiruaku finished his final season at Boston College with 80 tackles and 16.5 sacks, which was second in FBS.


And the associated video from Panthers.com:

This guy ((Ez-er-u-ah-ku) -- OR however that is pronounced..???) looks to be a SOLID rusher. 

I also acknowledge that Trevor Sikkema is a very good evaluator of talent. I'm starting to sort of admire the way he goes about his job. The last few weeks have been interesting with a lot of foundational interpretation from him.

Just judging by the film study, I wouldn't be mad if he ended up wearing Blue/Black.

I too am impressed.  This guy is a straight up player and ready to go play his position. He would be a good get if the Panthers can move down. (Some speculation that Dallas would be a trade partner,,,they are supposed to love the RB, Jeanty.)

This guy ((Ez-er-u-ah-ku) -- OR however that is pronounced..???) looks to be a SOLID rusher. 

I also acknowledge that Trevor Sikkema is a very good evaluator of talent. I'm starting to sort of admire the way he goes about his job. The last few weeks have been interesting with a lot of foundational interpretation from him.

Just judging by the film study, I wouldn't be mad if he ended up wearing Blue/Black.

It's prounced something like, "ezze-RAH-koo?"