Ahmed Hassenein: Boise State Star Becomes NFL’s First Egyptian Draftee

By Greg Pruett • May 10, 2025

Ahmed Hassenein, the star defensive player for Boise State University’s football team, is the first Egyptian player to be drafted into the NFL.

What’s Happening: While many Idahoans were focused on BSU’s star running back, Ashton Jeanty, being taken in the NFL draft higher than any other Idaho player in history, Hassenein was making history of his own.

Hassenein was taken in the sixth round by the Detroit Lions.

Digging Deeper: Hassanein moved to Egypt when he was six. While there, he forgot how to speak English and got into trouble. His home life was anything but perfect. Hassanein told ESPN that his mom was abusive, both physically and verbally, due in part to substance abuse problems.

Eventually, Hassanein found football and received several offers to play at other universities, but he ultimately chose Boise State as his home.