Boise State Coach Shares Detailed Insight Into What the Detroit Lions Are Getting in Star Defensive End Ahmed Hassanein

Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson didn’t hesitate when asked what kind of player the Detroit Lions are getting in Ahmed Hassanein. “Relentless. That’s the first word that comes to mind,” he said. “Ahmed plays every snap like it’s his last, and that mindset separates him. Detroit’s getting a guy who is going to work his tail off every single day, no matter what stage he’s on.”

The Lions selected Hassanein in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, a value pick that many scouts and analysts believe could end up being a steal. The Egyptian-born defensive end took an unconventional path to the NFL but impressed scouts with his raw power, explosiveness, and work ethic throughout his time in Boise. For Danielson, who coached Hassanein throughout his collegiate career, the pick is not just about stats or tape—it’s about who Hassanein is as a person and how he fits Detroit’s rugged, blue-collar identity.

“Detroit fans are going to love him,” Danielson said. “He embodies everything that franchise is about. Toughness. Grit. Discipline. He’s not going to be the loudest guy in the room, but when it’s time to work, nobody outworks him.”

Hassanein came to the United States in his teens, after initially developing a love for American football in Cairo through online clips and limited access to satellite broadcasts of NFL games. At first, his family didn’t quite understand the sport, but his passion and persistence were impossible to ignore. He moved to the U.S. as an exchange student in high school and quickly found his calling on the gridiron. Danielson recalls the first time he saw Hassanein’s high school tape.

“You could see the tools, the athleticism, but it was the effort that stood out,” he said. “He was still raw, but he chased every play, made stops 30 yards downfield, and showed that motor every coach dreams about.”

At Boise State, Hassanein steadily developed from a special teams contributor and rotational lineman into one of the most disruptive edge defenders in the Mountain West. Over his final two seasons, he posted 14 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss, numbers that barely scratch the surface of his impact. Danielson points to Hassanein’s leadership and his ability to set the tone in practice as the true markers of his value.

“He’s a guy who commands respect without saying much,” the coach explained. “When your best effort guy is also one of your best players, that changes the culture in a room. That’s Ahmed.”

On the field, Hassanein’s game is built around leverage, burst, and refined technique. Though slightly undersized by NFL standards at 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds, he makes up for it with elite get-off, hand usage, and a deep understanding of how to exploit angles. Danielson credits defensive line coach Erik Chinander and strength coach Darren Dutchik for helping unlock his potential.

“His ceiling just kept going up,” Danielson said. “He got stronger, more flexible, and started studying film like a pro. I’d walk by the facility at 9 p.m. and see Ahmed in the film room. He wanted to master everything about the position.”

For the Lions, who have built their defense around toughness and depth in the trenches, Hassanein profiles as a rotational pass rusher who can grow into a bigger role. With Aidan Hutchinson drawing double-teams and veteran John Cominsky anchoring the opposite edge, Detroit has the luxury of developing Hassanein slowly. But Danielson believes he’ll force the issue.

“Give him six months in an NFL weight room and a full training camp, and I think he’s going to open eyes,” Danielson said. “He’s not going to be content just being there. He’s going to push to be great.”

What stands out even more than his physical traits is Hassanein’s journey. From Cairo to Boise to Detroit, his path has been paved with resilience, adaptation, and the quiet confidence of someone who’s had to prove himself at every level. Danielson shared a moment from Hassanein’s sophomore year that encapsulates his mindset.

“We were on the road, tough game, and Ahmed wasn’t starting yet,” he said. “But one of our ends went down early, and we threw Ahmed in. He responded with two sacks, five pressures, and changed the game. No hesitation. No nerves. He just played.”

After that performance, Hassanein never looked back. He became a fixture on Boise’s defense and a favorite among teammates and coaches alike. Danielson says Hassanein’s background helped him stay grounded and grateful—qualities that NFL teams crave in late-round picks.

“He never lost that sense of perspective,” the coach said. “He’s grateful to be here, but that doesn’t mean he’s just happy to be along for the ride. He’s chasing greatness.”

That balance—hunger without entitlement, gratitude without complacency—is a rare mix. It’s one of the reasons Detroit GM Brad Holmes made the call to bring him in. The Lions have made it a habit of targeting players with something to prove, and in Hassanein, they may have landed a gem who fits perfectly into head coach Dan Campbell’s locker room.

Campbell, known for his fiery demeanor and old-school approach, values effort and passion as much as talent. Danielson believes the match is ideal.

“If you created a Dan Campbell player in a lab, he’d look a lot like Ahmed,” he said, laughing. “Tough, physical, humble, and never satisfied. Those are the guys who succeed in that system.”

While most sixth-round picks are long shots to make the roster, the Lions don’t view Hassanein as just another camp body. They see upside, immediate special teams value, and a long-term contributor who could eventually rotate in on key downs. Danielson says fans should expect impact sooner than later.

“He’s not a project,” he emphasized. “He’s been coached hard, he understands technique, and he’s ready to contribute. He’s going to fight for a helmet on game day from day one.”

Asked what advice he’d give Hassanein as he transitions to the NFL, Danielson paused.

“I’d tell him what I always did—be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. You got here by doing things the right way. Keep that motor high, keep learning, and stay humble. That’s who Ahmed is.”

Boise State fans have followed Hassanein’s journey closely, and many were emotional when his name was called on draft weekend. His story is one of belief, sacrifice, and perseverance, and it’s resonated well beyond the football field. Danielson hopes Detroit embraces it too.

“This kid left everything he knew to chase a dream,” he said. “He’s proof that when you work hard and treat people right, good things happen.”

In the locker room, Hassanein was known as “The Pharaoh,” a nickname that blended his Egyptian heritage with the regal way he carried himself. But Danielson insists there was nothing flashy about him—just a quiet leader who let his play speak volumes.

“He walked with pride, but never arrogance,” he said. “He honored his roots and brought that warrior mentality with him. That’s something you can’t coach.”

As Hassanein prepares to join his new teammates in Detroit, there’s excitement about what lies ahead. He’ll be tested, challenged, and pushed harder than ever before. But if his past is any indication, he’ll rise to the occasion.

“I told him this is just the beginning,” Danielson said. “Getting drafted is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line. Now it’s about proving he belongs—and I have no doubt he will.”

The Lions may have made headlines with their early-round selections, but it’s players like Ahmed Hassanein who often end up being the heart and soul of a team. As Detroit looks to build on its recent success and contend in the NFC, adding high-character, high-effort players like Hassanein could make all the difference.

“He’s not going to take plays off. He’s not going to take days off,” Danielson said. “He’s going to make Detroit proud.”