Jeff Hafley spent four years at the helm of Boston College, significantly influencing the team’s recruiting strategies. This year, two of his defensive players, edge defender Donovan Ezeiruaku and interior lineman Cam Horsley, have achieved consensus draft-worthy ratings.

While Green Bay Packers’ scouting policies limit the defensive coordinator’s influence on draft decisions, Hafley has garnered substantial respect within the organization after just one year. “Jeff Hafley made a remarkable impact in his first year. Those players really bonded,” general manager Brian Gutekunst commented post-season.

“Our defense played its best football late in the year. Although each season is unique, I believe the experiences we had, including playing several rookies extensively and integrating Xavier McKinney from another team, will enhance our communication over time. I’m enthused about our defense’s current state.”

Donovan Ezeiruaku stands out as a productive pass rusher and is ranked 31st on this year’s consensus big board. The challenge for the Packers lies in his size, as they typically prefer larger players. However, Ezeiruaku’s productivity is exceptional, and he was recruited by Hafley at Boston College.

Last season, he amassed 16.5 sacks and recorded 60 total pressures. According to PFF, he excelled in pass rush grade, pass rush win rate, and true pass set pass rush grade, and was also a strong run defender.

Jon Helmkamp, in his scouting report for A to Z Sports, noted that “the pros significantly outweigh the cons with Ezeiruaku, bringing a wealth of speed and productivity to a defensive line in a rapidly paced game. His speed, whether pursuing quarterbacks or tackling players from behind, aligns perfectly with today’s NFL.”