Before Ahmed Hassanein became a game-wrecker in the Mountain West, he experienced a football journey unlike any other.
Hassanein was born in the United States and moved to Egypt with his dad when he was 6 years old, while his half-brother stayed in America. About 10 years later, Hassanein’s half-brother, who became a high school football coach and teacher, suggested he join him back in America. Hassanein made the move and began playing football.
Hassanein was clearly athletic. He was ranked No. 1 in Egypt and 14th in Africa in CrossFit for his age group. But he hardly knew anything about football, let alone how to play the sport.
“One day I was watching Aaron Donald play and I was like, ‘What high school does he go to?’” Hassanein remembered asking his half-brother.
“Bro, that’s the NFL,” his half-brother responded, as Hassanein recalled.
“The NFL? What’s that?”
“That’s the National Football League.”
“I want to go there.”
“Bro, you don’t even have a D-line coach at your high school. You don’t have anything.”
So his half-brother took Hassanein to football camps. He competed against high-level prospects. He learned how to pass rush from watching YouTube videos.
“I had that will about me that I want to work,” Hassanein said at the NFL Combine. “I want to be the first one in and the last one out. I wanted to perfect my craft.”
Hassanein’s desire to improve led to him becoming a star at Boise State, and he may soon play in a league he knew nothing about not too long ago.
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Ahmed Hassanein NFL Draft Projection
I project Ahmed Hassanein will be selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Hassanein doesn’t just have an amazing story. He has real potential at the next level. And I think a few teams will see him as a good fit in their defensive systems.
“Being at the combine is an amazing feeling, and I’m so grateful for it,” Hassanein said. “The sky is the limit for me. I have the will to learn, and I’m eager to learn. I’m grateful for this opportunity. Not a lot of people get to come to the combine. Being one of them after five years of American football and five years of learning the English language, I’m so grateful.”
Update: Ahmed Hassanein was selected by the Lions in the sixth round.
What Was Ahmed Hassanein’s 40 Time At The NFL Combine?
Ahmed Hassanein ran the 40-yard dash in 4.77 seconds at the 2025 NFL Combine. He ranked 15th out of 18 EDGE players there.
He was sixth out of 15 players at his position group with 27 bench press reps. His vertical jump of 32.5 inches was 15th out of 21 EDGE players, while his broad jump of 9 feet, 5 inches was 19th out of 20.
Ahmed Hassanein’s Height & Weight
Ahmed Hassanein was measured at 6-foot-2, 267 pounds at the NFL Combine.
Ahmed Hassanein’s Stats & Highlights
Hassanein gained valuable experience through his first two years of college, and then he showed his true potential during his final two seasons at Boise State.
Hassanein recorded five tackles in eight games in 2021. The following season, he tallied 13 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 games.
Then Hassanein emerged as a potential pro talent in 2023. He totaled 12.5 sacks, which was the second-most in the Mountain West and the sixth-most in the FBS. His 16.5 tackles for loss ranked third in the conference and 19th in the nation. He totaled 53 tackles and two forced fumbles en route to earning All-Mountain West and G5 All-American first-team accolades.
Hassanein helped the Broncos reach the College Football Playoff quarterfinals in 2024. Helping Boise State rank first in the country with 55 sacks as a team, he tallied 48 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, and 9.5 sacks to go with one fumble recovery.
His final year of college, Hassanein was on the all-conference first team, was a G5 All-American, and was a Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Finalist.
“First it starts with my mentality and my physicality and my will,” Hassanein said. “I may not know everything, but I’ll do everything in my power to get there. My team trusted me, my coach trusted me, and I have the will. I’ll do whatever it takes to get back to the quarterback.”
Where Is Ahmed Hassanein From?
Ahmed Hassanein is from Cairo, Egypt. He played football at Loara High School and was a three-star prospect.
Hassanein would become the first Egyptian player drafted if he is selected.
“That’s a huge honor to me and a huge honor to my country,” Hassanein said at the NFL Combine. “NFL Africa just followed me yesterday. I’m so excited to get to the (NFL Players Association) and get them connected to Egypt because there’s a lot of people in Egypt who want to play football, and hopefully one day I’ll be that connection.”
Ahmed Hassanein’s NFL Comparison & 2025 NFL Draft Profile
I believe some elements of Ahmed Hassanein’s game are comparable to Brian Burns. I’m not saying Hassanein will play at the same level or be as productive as Burns has been. But when I see Burns’ tenacity as he rushes a passer or tracks down a running back, I think Hassanein has some of that tenaciousness as well.
Hassanein is powerful at the point of attack and doesn’t get moved off the ball easily.
Hassanein was among the top three EDGE rushers in the country in 2024 with 62 total pressures, 17 quarterback hits, and 35 QB hurries. He also was in the top 30 in Pro Football Focus’ overall grades and run defense grades for FBS EDGE rushers who played at least 450 snaps. He was also in the top 50 for pass rushing.
Hassanein is a dependable tackler. His missed tackle rate of 22.6% was the 11th-lowest in the nation.
He’s also disruptive. He ranked ninth in the country with 30 defensive stops which were constituted as failures for the offense.
Hassanein has played at anywhere from 273 pounds to over 300 pounds and has lined up on the interior of the defensive line on third downs as well as on the outside edge. His versatility should also be an appealing trait for NFL teams.
“My speed to power and my twitchiness,” Hassanein said when asked what the best aspect of his pass rush is. “My will to get off the line and be physical at the point of contact.”
Hassanein’s mentality has led to on-the-field production, and his overall skill set should make him a valuable Day 3 draft pick.
