College Sports
“Delayed never means denied.”
Boston College star defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku is heading to the NFL.
The Dallas Cowboys selected him 44th overall, in the second round, Friday night.
Ezeiruaku spoke with Boston.com about his Philadelphia Eagles fandom, the fit with Micah Parsons, his time at BC, and more in a wide-ranging conversation:
Boston.com: Can you set the scene for me? What was it like hearing your name called after years of buildup and anticipation?
Donovan Ezeiruaku: It felt great. We thought we were going on Day 1, so I had a draft party with more family and friends. Second day was more intimate. The people at the venue let us be there again. It just felt really good that my family was right there, my immediate family and some of my closest friends were there with me. I wasn’t really getting discouraged or anything like that, but just watching the draft, and then my phone rang. It had the blue star at the top of the caller ID. I answered the phone, they put me on the phone with Jerry Jones, and the rest is caught on tape.
BDC: Are the rumors true that you grew up an Eagles fan?
DE: That is not a rumor at all. I’m from South Jersey, so in South Jersey, it’s Eagles country down there. My mom is from Philadelphia. When my dad first moved to the United States, he was in Philadelphia. That’s absolutely, positively, true. The majority of my family members were Eagles fans. Now they’re all Cowboys fans. How ‘bout them Cowboys?
BDC: With that in mind, what was your reaction when you heard it was the Cowboys?
DE: I talked to the Cowboys in the pre-draft process at the Senior Bowl, then I had an informal meeting with them at the Combine. I wasn’t really expecting Dallas at all, but it didn’t matter who picked me or what area code popped up on my phone. It’s a blessing, for sure.
BDC: What was it like waiting on Day 1 and not hearing your name called? Was it even sweeter on Day 2, given how it unfolded?
DE: I had really good meetings during the pre-draft process. I thought so. I thought I tested pretty well. I got a lot of feedback saying that I would most likely be picked that first night. They sent the TV crew out to Jersey. But it’s OK. Delayed never means denied. The draft didn’t go the way everybody wanted it to go. But like I said, we were celebrating getting drafted, period. Just because I didn’t go night one, it didn’t mean it wasn’t a good time with family and friends.
BDC: You’re someone who always has a chip on your shoulder and plays with an edge. Does that give you even more fuel knowing you were picked in the second round?
DE: A thousand percent. A thousand percent.
BDC: What will it be like playing side by side with Micah Parsons?
DE: It’s pretty cool. I can’t wait to get in the building, get in the locker room, and get to know the guys. I can’t wait to play with guys like Micah Parsons, Osa Odighizuwa, Sam Williams, guys that are over there right now. I think we’ll make a pretty good team. I think I’m going to be able to contribute to that room and to that defense. I think I definitely add value with my skill set, my ability, and my willingness to want to get to the ball, stop the run, and pass rush, of course. It’ll be really fun to see, and I can’t wait to get over there.
BDC: It was the first time since 2009 that two BC guys were drafted in the first two rounds. What does that mean to you?
DE: It’s really cool. I was celebrating with my family, and next thing you know, Chicago’s pick came up, and my guy Ozzy got drafted. I was like, ‘Oh, snap!’ I took out my phone real quick, took a little video, and shot him a text. It’s really cool to see. We’re two guys who went back and forth in practice for the past four years. Being able to get drafted on the same day, in the second round, it’s very special. I think it goes to show that when you’re at Boston College, you can make it out. If your dream and goal is to go play in the NFL, we’ve seen it time and time again, with myself, Ozzy, Zay, Zion, Zach Allen, Harold Landry, all these guys, they got drafted. It’s very possible.
BDC: Now that it’s officially over, can you reflect on your time at BC – the ups, the downs, and what you learned about yourself as a person?
DE: I learned that you’re going to go through ups and downs. That’s just life. But it’s your faith in God, and the people that you surround yourself with, that are going to help you get out of those tough moments. You just have to continue to trust that process, continue to have faith, continue to work hard, continue to just grind, honestly. Things will always look up. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Now, we’ve got another tunnel we’ve got to get through. I hope it’s a pretty long, long, long tunnel with a lot of light with this next journey.
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