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All-Sleeper Defense: 10 NFL Draft Prospects Poised to Outperform Their Projections (Edge Defender: Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State:
In Ahmed Hassanein's case, size is not the issue, though the arm length could give some people pause. At 6-foot-3 and 267 pounds, Hassanein brings his own intriguing combination of speed and power to the table. What he needs is simply more experience to put it all together. Born in the United States, Hassanein moved with his family to Cairo, Egypt at age six and grew up there. He moved back to America in 2018, and though he was a multi-sport athlete in Egypt, he didn't start playing American football until his older half-brother Cory Besch, a high-school football coach in Anaheim, California, became his legal guardian and got him interested in the game. In four seasons with the Broncos, Hassanein amassed 27 sacks, 133 total pressures, 64 solo tackles, and 72 stops. Over his last two seasons there, he had 24 of those sacks and 115 of those pressures. NFL defensive line coaches will understand that there's some work to be done with Hassanein's overall technique — odds are, they'll also be fascinated with a guy his size who can do what he does from an athletic perspective. Hassanein is exactly the kind of multi-gap disruptor who can work guards with straight up power and the agility to go right around them, and can also knife through double-teams, jump multiple gaps, and bend the edge from the outside. If I'm an NFL GM, and my defensive line coach is on board, I want Ahmed Hassanein anywhere from the third round on down, I'll take a flyer on a year of development with decent pass-rushing numbers, and I'll then bet on the ferocious upside to take over.) (4-18-25): https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2025-nfl-draft-underrated-defense-darius-alexander-xavier-watts
Boise State Broncos’ Top 10 Returning Players in 2024 Include Ashton Jeanty, Malachi Nelson (3. Ahmed Hassanein, DE:
If the Broncos’ defense can find a few more guys to play like Ahmed Hassanein, good luck moving the ball against this team. In 2023, Boise State finished 24th in tackles for loss and 18th in sacks, and Hassanein led that charge. The senior from Cairo, Egypt, brings a big frame to the edge of the defense, and he’s a strong player who knows how to ruin an opposing team’s game plan. Teams will key on him more this year, and his ability to help the players around him win their more favorable matchups will help the defense as a whole.) (4-14-24): https://collegefootballnetwork.com/boise-state-broncos-top-10-returning-players-2024/
2025 NFL Draft: Most underrated prospects on PFF's draft board compared to consensus (EDGE Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State -
PFF Big Board Rank: 137th. Consensus Rank: 246th. Hassanein is a late bloomer with an intriguing background. He grew up in Egypt competing in CrossFit and combat sports throughout his childhood. His transition to football has worked out tremendously, as he racked up 115 pressures and 24 sacks over his final two seasons at Boise State. He should be drafted on Day 3 by a team that feels it can continue to develop his burgeoning skills.) (4-9-25): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-most-underrated-prospects-pff-board-consensus
Insider Shares Late-Round EDGE Prospects Lions Could Target (Boise State EDGE Ahmed Hassanein:
“He had 9.5 sacks this past year. He was sixth in all of FBS in sacks the year prior with 12.5. This guy was productive as all get out. Not the superlative athlete, but he has some serious inline power. One play never makes a trait or tells you exactly what you need to know about a player. But I was rewatching their playoff game against Penn State this year. This guy just gets in the chest of Tyler Warren and shocks him. Warren had no idea what was coming from big number 91. He’s got an incredible story, born in Egypt, just this remarkable path to the NFL soon enough. On Day 3, he’s a guy that will end up generating some interest. I’d bet on the player and the person, high-character, very determined young man. And I think he has some real inline power and some explosion off the snap to be a productive rusher.” ) (4-3-25): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/late-round-edge-2025-field-yates
2025 NFL Draft: Best draft fits for every role along the defensive line (DETROIT LIONS: EDGE DEFENDER - Day 1 option: Nic Scourton, Texas A&M. Day 3 option: Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State. Scourton offers versatility for the Lions’ defense, with the ability to line up both inside and on the edge while contributing as a pass rusher and run defender. Hassanein would be a strong Day 3 value, as he tallied 10 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and 35 hurries on 429 pass-rush snaps in 2024.) (3-27-25):
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-best-draft-fits-for-every-role-along-the-defensive-line
One DE Lions Could Target in Every Round of NFL Draft (Fifth round -
Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State: Hassanein is one of the more unique stories in this year's draft class, as he's the first FBS player from Egypt and is relatively limited in terms of overall football experience. However, he does have some instincts that have helped propel him into a draftable prospect after a pair of first-team All-Mountain West seasons. For the Broncos, Hassanein totaled 9.5 sacks in 2024 and 12.5 sacks the season prior. There are questions about how well he'll be able to bend around the edge, as his overall movements at the position are sometimes questionable. He does have room to grow, but the Lions have an affinity for developmental prospects and could feel confident in their ability to unlock the best-performing version of this player.) (3-21-25): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/de-lions-could-target-every-round-2025-nfl-draft
2025 NFL scouting combine: Stock up, stock down for these 20 players in the NFL draft (Stock down: Boise State Edge Ahmed Hassanein:
Hassanein was considered a Day 3 pick as a developmental edge player who could be a rotational pass rusher as he develops. That might still be the case but he could fall down the order after how he did in Indianapolis. He measured in at 6-foot-2 and 267 pounds with shorter arms at 32 1/4 inches. He had a solid 40-yard dash at 4.77 seconds but the slowest 10-yard split among edge rushers. He also had one of the worst broad jumps at the position at 9 feet, 5 inches and a subpar vertical at 32 1/2 inches. Those numbers don't translate well to tools for a developmental rusher off the edge.) (3-3-25): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2025/03/03/nfl-combine-stock-up-stock-down/81088457007/
2025 NFL Draft: 5 underdog stories to watch (EDGE Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State:
Hassanein comes with an unusual backstory in which he was born in America, lived in Egypt for much of his childhood and then returned to America in high school at the behest of his brother, who wanted to teach him to play football. Hassanein previously took part in CrossFit, wrestling and boxing while in Egypt, and those skills have helped him immensely along the way. He became a three-star recruit during his short high school career and eventually signed with Boise State, where he was a crucial part of the Broncos’ success. Across 2023 and 2024, Hassanein racked up 115 pressures and 24 sacks. Both of those marks ranked top five among all FBS defensive linemen over the past two seasons. Hassanein is likely to be a Day 3 pick who hopes to break into the league as a rotational pass-rusher. He hasn’t played football very long, though, and will get a chance to continue his wayward journey toward fulfilling his potential.) (2-26-25): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-5-underdog-stories-to-watch
NFL Combine 2025: 10 Trench Players With Most To Gain (Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE, Boise State -
Ahmed Hassanein is still relatively new to football, but his high-end athletic traits are undeniable. He had a strong week at the Shrine Bowl and I expect him to test well across the board. His numbers should reflect the twitch, range, and quickness he displays on film. Putting raw testing numbers next to his tape could provide clarity on just how high his potential is.) (2-20-25): https://thedraftnetwork.com/2025/02/20/nfl-combine-2025-ol-dl
Ahmed Hassanein NFL Draft Interview: From Egyptian Citizen To NFL Hopeful (2-9-25):
https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2025/02/09/ahmed-hassanein-nfl-draft-interview-2025
Shrine Bowl Practice Day 1: Draft Expert's risers - Shedeur Sanders sits out, trench players and receivers shine ft. Ricky White (Ahmed Hassanein/DE/Boise State:
Hassanein is a great story, as he spent most of his youth in Egypt before his brother brought him back to the States and taught him to play football; his brother would be proud of the way he played Saturday. A terrific athlete, Hassanein beat blockers with speed, quickness, and agility. He plays with great leverage and balance. He gets underneath blockers before immediately changing direction to get to the quarterback during drills. He’s not the biggest guy in the world, measuring 6-foot-2.5 and 274 pounds, but Hassanein will be a great fit as a pass rusher in a four-man line.) (1-26-25): https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/news-shrine-bowl-practice-day-1-draft-expert-s-risers-shedeur-sanders-sits-out-trench-players-receivers-shine-ft-ricky-white
2025 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in the Fiesta Bowl: Ashton Jeanty, Abdul Carter Headline NFL-Bound Stars in Penn State vs. Boise State (Ahmed Hassanein’s NFL Draft Projection:
Hassanein could be a player on which NFL teams take a chance with a late-round pick. Hailing from Cairo, Egypt, the Broncos’ edge rusher recorded 12.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in 2023. Hassanein then followed that performance up with 8.5 sacks and 13 TFLs in 2024. Standing at 6’3” and weighing 271 pounds, the former three-star recruit possesses solid size and impressive raw pass-rushing instincts, making him a worthwhile gamble for teams late on.) (12-31-24): https://collegefootballnetwork.com/2025-nfl-draft-prospects-fiesta-bowl/
Insider notes on 2025 NFL Draft's top prospects: Risers and sliders after Week 11 as SEC, Big Ten player stock surges (#4 Ahmed Hassanein (Edge/Boise State):
With Ashton Jeanty getting all the headlines for 8-1 Boise State, and deservedly so, other players have been lost in the shuffle, including Hassanein. An underclassman who caught my eye over the summer, Hassanein watched his game take off last season when he moved into the starting lineup and promptly accumulated 16.5 TFLs as well as 12.5 sacks. This season, his totals include 9.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks, as well as 32 tackles, in nine games. Hassanein is an athletic defensive end who quickly makes his way up the field, bending the edge with speed and playing with solid fundamentals. He needs to get a bit stronger, but he is a Day 3 prospect on the rise.) (11-11-24): https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/news-insider-notes-2025-nfl-draft-s-top-prospects-risers-sliders-week-11-sec-big-ten-player-stock-surges
2025 NFL Draft: 5 players who are flying up scouts' draft boards this season (Ahmed Hassanein, DL, Boise State:
Like the aforementioned Harmon at Oregon, Hassanein is being overlooked by many throughout the country simply because at Boise State, all eyes are understandably trained on superstar running back Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos, however, are no one-man show, with the 6-foot-3, 270-pound Hassanein one of this year's best stories on and off the field. Hassanein is the first Egyptian-born player in FBS football history. That fun fact might get him a curious look from NFL scouts, but it is his combination of agility, power and instincts that will maintain their attention. Given that he's only been in the game since 2019, he shows remarkable awareness of blockers and the ball, winning with pad level, heavy, active hands that he uses to rip himself free of blocks, and impressive core strength. Critics will point out that Hassanein is already well known in the scouting community. After all, he recorded 12.5 sacks a year ago, earning First Team All-Mountain West honors. Nevertheless, Hassanein still generated low grades from NFL scouts entering the year. Now, he is well on his way to proving that last year's breakout campaign was no fluke, and he has the look of a top-100 prospect, at minimum.) (11-7-24): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2025-nfl-draft-5-players-who-flying-up-scouts-draft-boards-season
2024 Mountain West EDGE Rankings: Ahmed Hassanein Leads a Depleted Unit (1. Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State Broncos:
Coming off a 12.5-sack, first-team All-Mountain West season, there is no other returning EDGE worthy of the No. 1 spot than Ahmed Hassanein. While sack numbers can fluctuate year to year, finishing at the QB is a skill on its own, and he has it. Boise State promoted DL coach Erik Chinander to defensive coordinator, so we know he’ll put Hassanein in a position to succeed. The 6’3″ and 271-pound defender moves extremely well for his size, even making multiple plays at the second level. If Woodard attracts attention opposite him, as he should, Hassanein could have another double-digit-sack season.) (3-19-24): https://collegefootballnetwork.com/mountain-west-edge-rankings/
