The Detroit Lions created history by choosing Boise State defensive end Ahmed Hassanein in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the first Egyptian player ever drafted into the NFL. Hassanein, an All-American, was chosen as the 196th overall pick and the 20th pick in the sixth round.
Throughout his time at Boise State, Hassanein distinguished himself as a player, receiving two All-Mountain West first team accolades and being selected as a 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America second team honoree. In his senior year, he earned recognition as an honorable mention on the College Football Network All-America list and was a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award.
Hassanein appeared in 48 games for Boise State, accumulating 24.0 sacks, placing him fourth in the program’s all-time records. In 2024, he achieved 9.5 sacks, ranking him third in the Mountain West and tying for 16th in the nation. He recorded 15.5 tackles for loss, which ranked him tied for third in the conference and 17th in the FBS. As a team captain, he topped the league in quarterback hits with 17 and total pressures with 62, placing third and fifth nationwide, respectively.
Under Hassanein’s leadership, the Bronco defense achieved 55 sacks, the highest in the FBS, and averaged 7.9 tackles for loss each game, ranking third nationally. In 2023, Hassanein registered 12.5 sacks, placing him second in the Mountain West, sixth in the NCAA, and sixth in Boise State’s history. He recorded a minimum of 0.5 sacks in nine straight games, the longest streak in the FBS since 2015.
Hassanein is the 74th athlete from Boise State to be selected in the NFL draft and the 45th since 2000, leading the Mountain West in this regard. He became the fourth player from the Mountain West to be drafted this year, alongside teammate Ashton Jeanty, Tory Horton of Colorado State, and Jalen Royals from Utah State. Hassanein becomes the fifth Boise State player selected by the Lions, joining the ranks of Jim McMillan, Jim Meeks, Gerald Alexander, and Titus Young. He becomes the 12th Bronco chosen in the sixth round, reuniting with former teammates Scott Matlock and JL Skinne.