The Green Bay Packers saw their defense improve dramatically from 2023-24. The hiring of Jeff Hafley was one of the best defensive coordinator signings of recent memory and Green Bay instantly benefitted.
However, going into 2025, there is a clear need at pass rush and in the secondary. Jaire Alexander’s imminent departure coupled with Green Bay’s inability to create constant pressure in 2024 highlights that.
As it turns out, Hafley has a leg up on the competition for one star pass rusher.
Packers’ Jeff Hafley Has Direct Ties To 30-Sack Star In 2025
According to multiple reports, the Green Bay Packers will upgrade their pass rush with Donovan Ezeiruaku:
Ezeiruaku played at Boston College. His head coach for his first three seasons? Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
“Green Bay needs pass-rush help, and not only can Ezeiruaku provide it, but he already knows the scheme in which he’d be playing, likely lessening the learning curve,” SI.com’s Daniel Flick wrote as part of his breakdown.
Ezeiruaku was dominant in 2024. He was the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year, a consensus All-American and winner of the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s best defensive end. He set a school record with 16.5 sacks and added 21 tackles for losses – second- and fourth-best in the nation, respectively – to work himself into the first-round mix.
Getting reunited with Hafley would certainly not be a complaint for Ezeiruaku:
“I spoke to them over the phone not too long ago,” he said at the Scouting Combine. “And it’d just be like a reunion from high school, honestly. Getting recruited from high school to college.
I was with them for three years, so it wouldn’t be weird at all. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all. I had a lot of respect for those guys. It’s always open communication. That’s a bond and the connection that we built for life, not just for my time in college.”
Here is a look at Ezeiruaku’s college stats:
For More Total Packers:
Follow me on Twitter at @mcquadewarnold. You can also reach out to McQuade Arnold via email at mcquadewarnold@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Packers News, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers. Go Pack Go. On Wisconsin. Fear The Deer. This Is My Crew
