Allen Park — If you’ve watched the Lions practice at training camp this year, it probably hasn’t taken long to see, or hear, Ahmed Hassanein.
Hassanein, a sixth-round draft pick in 2025, is good for at least a few roars per practice session, letting out a scream to either pump himself up before a snap or celebrate a play being made after it. Those vocal expressions have seemingly become more frequent as of late, as Hassanein is settling into his new role as a “big end” in Detroit’s system, a change from the “rush end” position he played last year before he went down with an injury in the preseason.
Aidan Hutchinson is the premier example of a rush end, someone who lines up on the edge with the main intent of getting after opposing quarterbacks. Rookie Derrick Moore is in a similar mold. Playing big end, however, requires more of a stout frame, with the player often lining up on the inside of the strong-side linebacker in five-man fronts.
Tyler Lacy has been Detroit’s top big end in training camp thus far, with Hassanein operating behind him.
“Man, I’m loving it,” Hassanein said Tuesday. “It’s kind of more my play style. I played big end at Boise (State). At Boise, we call it a stud and an end. The end is like the bigger guy that doesn’t have to drop in coverage. It’s more hand in the dirt, more (of a) dirty (work) job. … I feel like it fits my play style better. I can take those hard doubles. I’m good for it, and I’m getting better at it.”
Also coming from his days at Boise State, Hassanein has made it a habit of telling his coaches and teammates he loves them. Broncos coach Spencer Danielson told Hassanein he loved him before practices and meetings. Initially, Hassanein thought it was strange, then it grew on him, and he started saying it back.
When Hassanein first told Lions coach Dan Campbell he loved him during his rookie season, Campbell did a double take, Hassanein recalled, and simply said, “Back at you.” Campbell has been more willing to play ball this year, telling Hassanein he loved him, as well.
“I was telling my wife about that,” Hassanein said. “I was like, ‘I just got (an), ‘I love you, too,’ from Coach Dan Campbell.’ … I tell (defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard) I love him all the time, before every practice. I just want to spread that, man. Love is contagious. You love someone, you just want to tell them. I’m gonna keep telling, ‘I love you,’ to my teammates, all the time.”
Hassanein, who started playing football after moving back to the United States from Egypt in 2018, had some encouraging moments during last year’s preseason, though his rookie campaign was thrown off track following an injury to his pectoral muscle in an exhibition matchup with the Miami Dolphins. Hassanein was waived with an injury settlement last August and brought back on the practice squad in November. He hasn’t yet made an appearance in the regular season, something he hopes to change in Year 2.
“I truly believe that I have God on my side, and I truly believe that everything happens for a reason,” Hassanein said. “Maybe last year, I wasn’t ready. Maybe this year, I am.”
One of the country’s most productive pass rushers over his last two seasons at Boise State, Hassanein helped the Broncos make the College Football Playoff in 2024, totaling 9½ sacks (tied for 16th among FBS defenders) and 62 pressures.
Hassanein has been extremely appreciative of the Lions for taking a chance on him since he entered the NFL, something that was on full display during his call with Campbell on draft day. While coming off the practice field Monday, Hassanein had a conversation with general manager Brad Holmes, once again sharing how thankful he was, and how much he wanted to prove Holmes correct for believing in him.
Holmes told him he was on the right path to doing so.
“He was just like, ‘Ahmed, you’re proving me right by doing what you’re doing. The big end role is going to be good for you.’ He was just like, ‘I’m excited for you. You’re a football player,'” Hassanein said.
“I told him I loved him, and he said, ‘I love you, too.'”
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Ahmed Hassanein adds love to Lions as momentum builds at new position
Reporting by Richard Silva, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Richard Silva, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
