Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Ezekiel Ansah participates in a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’5″

Weight:  271 pounds

Position Rank: 3

Drafted By: Detroit Lions (1st round, 5th overall)

40 Yard Dash:  4.63

Bench Press:  21

Vertical Jump:  34.5″

Broad Jump:  118″

2012 Stats

Career Highlights (BYU Athletic Site)

2012 | Senior Year

Earned letterman honors … played in all 13 games and started nine at defensive end … named a Pro Football Weekly All-America honorable mention, Phil Steele and FBS All-Independent First Team … totaled 62 tackles including 13 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks … also had one interception, forced one fumble, had six quarterback hurries and nine pass breakups … burst onto the scene vs. Boise State, snuffing out a fake punt and had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup … had three tackles for loss vs. Utah State including two sacks … recorded a sack vs. Georgia Tech to go along with eight tackles … finished the bowl game with an interception and five tackles

2011 | Junior Year

Earned letterman honors … played in 12 games on special teams and outside linebacker … totaled seven tackles, including three solo, on the season … also had a quarterback hurry … season-best two tackles vs. Idaho

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Ezekiel Ansah is one of the bigger “boom or bust” potential picks in this year’s NFL Draft. He has only been playing football for a few years, but he has freakish size and raw athletic ability that have NFL scouts drooling. You can see in his dimensions (6’5″ 271) and speed (4.63) that he has the overall look of a dominant defensive end or hybrid linebacker in the NFL, and he is likely destined to be a top 10 selection in April. Ansah obviously needs to be coached up in the NFL, but he is athletic enough that he could surprise some people and have double-digit sacks as a rookie if he puts enough work in. He’s strong (21 reps on bench) and quick off the ball, but he’s not even scratched the surface of his immense potential. He flashes his quickness and speed when you watch him in-game, and he can play sideline to sideline really well which is why I think he’s likely to go to a team that primarily operates out of a 3-4 alignment. When you combine his length and overall upper body strength, he creates problems all over the defensive line. BYU was able to line him up over the nose, as a base end in a 3-4, as well as standing up as a rush linebacker. I think he has the potential to be one of the better picks in this year’s draft if he puts the work in. Otherwise, he’ll just be another athletic track guy who couldn’t hack it with the big boys.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)