Egypt’s Ahmed Hassanein: Boise State’s Draft Prospect with Global Roots

From CrossFit to Gridiron
Ahmed Hassanein’s path from Cairo to Boise State stardom defies convention. A top-ranked CrossFit athlete in Egypt during his teenage years, he moved to the U.S. in 2018 and first donned football pads in 2019. His meteoric transition culminated in becoming the first Egyptian to compete in FBS football. After earning Garden Grove League Lineman of the Year honors in his lone high school season, he evolved into a defensive cornerstone for the Broncos, blending raw power with technical precision.

College Dominance and Consistency
Hassanein’s three-year arc saw him progress from situational rusher to every-down menace. His breakout 2023 campaign (12.5 sacks) included a nine-game sack streak—the longest FBS run since 2015. He followed with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a senior, silencing doubts about his sustainability. The two-time All-Mountain West First-Team selection also maintained Scholar- Athlete status, balancing elite production with academic excellence.

Leadership and Draft Stock
Following a productive NFL Combine, Hassanein is slated for a pre-draft visit with the Los Angeles Chargers (per Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler), who seek late-round value after an 11-6 season under Jim Harbaugh. Once a projected Day 2 pick, the 6’3”, 272-pound edge now aligns as a sixth-round target, with scouts praising his polished pass-rush arsenal and leadership as a Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year finalist.

Global Trailblazer
Hassanein’s journey—from Cairo CrossFit prodigy to the cusp of becoming Egypt’s first NFL draftee—epitomizes football’s expanding reach. “This sport chose me,” he said, “and I want to show it has no borders.” As draft night nears, his story inspires a new generation of global athletes.