The Detroit Lions filled a need in the sixth round on Saturday, drafting Boise State edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein at No. 196 overall.
Here are five things to know about Hassanein:
The 6-foot-2, 267-pounder exploded onto the college football scene his final two years with the Broncos. He had just 18 tackles and two sacks his first two seasons but registered 101 tackles and 22 sacks his final two campaigns, earning all-Mountain West first-team honors. Plus, he’s the only FBS defensive lineman to have at least 15 tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons.
His 115 pressures over the last two years were the third-most in the FBS over that span.
- First Egyptian player drafted
Hassanein grew up in Egypt before moving to the United States in 2018. He is the first Egyptian player to play FBS football and also is the first selected in the draft.
He was a finalist in 2024 for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award.
Hassanein didn’t start playing football until 2019 but has always been a gifted athlete. He became the top-ranked CrossFit athlete in Egypt and also played other sports such as boxing, jujitsu and ping pong. He was introduced to football by his half-brother Cory Besch, who was living in California. Hassanein moved in with him and picked up football, getting an assist learning the position by watching highlights of Aaron Donald.
Hassanein landed at Boise State because of Besch’s connection with Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson, who played with Besch at Azusa Pacific University.
- He has “all the grit in the world”
After the Lions made the pick, ESPN’s Louis Riddick said Hassanein will fit “right in” with what head coach Dan Campbell wants. Mel Kiper Jr. said he’s just “touched the surface” of his potential. Scouts praised his relentless motor and tenacity.
- Standing out against top competition
The Broncos don’t play in a power conference, but they did reach the College Football Playoff in 2024 and opened against Penn State. Hassanein had six tackles, including three for loss and a sack in a loss to the Nittany Lions. Boise also played a nail-biter against Oregon in Week 2, and he had a sack against the Ducks as well.
