From Cairo to the NFL: Ahmed Hassanein's Inspiring Journey to Make History as Egypt's First Draft Pick

A Unlikely Football Origin Story

Seven years ago on a Cairo balcony, Ahmed Hassanein couldn't have imagined his path would lead to the NFL draft. Today, the Boise State defensive end stands on the verge of making history as the first Egyptian player selected in the NFL draft, with ESPN analysts projecting him as a sixth-round pick.

Overcoming Adversity

Hassanein's journey began with significant challenges:

• Moved from California to Egypt at age 6, forgetting English
• Faced behavioral issues leading to school expulsion
• Dealt with an abusive home environment
• Discovered sports as an outlet, becoming Egypt's top CrossFit athlete

"Sports saved me," Hassanein told ESPN. "They gave me discipline and purpose when I had nothing else."

Football Transformation

Hassanein's football education began dramatically:

• 2018: Moved to California at age 15 with no football knowledge
• Learned basics from scratch (equipment, rules, techniques)
• Developed through relentless training (5am workouts, post-practice sessions)
• Studied Aaron Donald highlights as motivation

College Breakthrough at Boise State

After receiving multiple Division I offers, Hassanein chose Boise State, where he:

• Ranked 4th in school history with 24 career sacks
• Recorded 12.5 sacks in breakout junior season (2023)
• Played through labrum surgery during senior year (2024)

"His combination of power and work ethic is rare," said Boise State coach Spencer Danielson. "He developed from raw talent to one of our most violent run defenders."

NFL Draft Prospects

Scouts highlight Hassanein's:

• 6'2", 267 lb frame with explosive power
• Elite work ethic and coachability
• Special teams potential while developing as pass rusher

"He's a developmental prospect with starter potential," said ESPN's Jordan Reid. "Give him two years and he could be impacting games."

The Bigger Picture

Hassanein's story represents:

• The global growth of football beyond traditional markets
• How athletic traits translate across sports (CrossFit to football)
• The importance of second chances in player development

"This isn't just my dream anymore," Hassanein said. "It's for everyone who believed when no one else did."