Proudly Ghanaian: Ziggy Ansah makes 2013 NFL Draft

Although i know very little about the NFL, my twitter has been buzzing with proud Ghanaians (mostly old students of Presec) trying to get me to do a post about Ghanaian athelete, Ezekiel  Nana Ansah, alias Ziggy Ansah being in the 2013 NFL draft (whatever that means LOL).  Rated by the NFLDraftScout.com team as the No. 1 defensive end prospect in the land, Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called as the Lions picked Ansah with the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday. The former BYU standout originally wasn’t supposed to be in this spot. When he landed in Provo, Utah, from Ghana, Ansah planned to run track and prepare himself to try to land a spot in the NBA. Instead, he surprised draft analysts and scouts in 2012 by recording 62 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Considering Ansah had never started a game before the 2012 season (and had only 10 total tackles), his performance was a shock. Ansah only has been playing football for three seasons and, yes, he’s probably a little raw. But scouts liked his athleticism and power. Some compared him favorably to Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (though Ansah could be a better run defender). Even better: he’s versatile. At BYU, he played at stand-up outside linebacker, defensive end and nose tackle while lining up all over the field. It’ll be interesting, then, to see Detroit’s plans for him in 2013.

A native of Accra, Ghana, Ansah tried out for the basketball team in 2008 and 2009. After failing both times, he joined the track team but left and joined the football program in 2010 despite warnings from Mendenhall and his staff. The then-sophomore conceded to being worried of how much contact occurred in a football game and noted he always considered his body “a delicate flower.”

  After switching sports, Ansah worked through winter training, where he gassed out after nearly every drill. However, with a strong work ethic and added bulk to his thin frame, Ansah earned the trust of coaches and continued to practice with the special teams units through the 2011 season. In 18 games, Ansah accumulated a total of 10 tackles (the majority on special teams), one pass breakup, and one credited quarterback hurry. Despite still not being on scholarship entering his senior season, Ansah bulked up to nearly 270 pounds in an effort to learn two defensive roles, outside linebacker and defensive end. He lined up at defensive end in a three-man front, outside linebacker in a four man front, and even some snaps at three technique or nose tackle on third downs. Finally, in his one season as a full-time starter, Ansah tallied 62 tackles, 13 for loss, including 4.5 sacks. The versatile defensive lineman added nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one interception while lining up as a rush outside linebacker, defense end and defensive tackle.]]>