Dallas Cowboys rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku was arrested late Sunday night, January 11 following a traffic stop on a North Texas tollway.
According to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, the incident occurred just before midnight in the southbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway in Plano. The Texas Department of Public Safety said a state trooper observed a vehicle being driven recklessly and initiated a stop at approximately 11:54 p.m. The driver was identified as Ezeiruaku, a 22-year-old defensive end who lives in Frisco.
Ezeiruaku was taken into custody and charged with reckless driving, which is classified as a Class B misdemeanor under Texas law. Jail records indicate that he posted a $500 bond and was released shortly after his arrest.
No injuries were reported in connection with the stop, and authorities have not publicly detailed what specific driving actions led to the charge.
The Dallas Cowboys acknowledged the situation in a brief statement. “We are aware of the arrest,” the team said, declining to offer further comment.
Ezeiruaku, who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is coming off a standout college career at Boston College. During the 2024 season, he earned the Ted Hendricks Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive end.
He was also named a consensus All-American, a first-team All-ACC selection, and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
The arrest marks the first known legal issue for Ezeiruaku since entering the NFL. On the field, the rookie has already begun carving out a role with Dallas. In his first season with the Cowboys, he recorded 40 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble, contributing to the team’s defensive rotation.
As of this writing, no disciplinary action from the league or the team has been announced. The Cowboys have not indicated whether the arrest will impact Ezeiruaku’s status moving forward.