Cracking the Code: How Ahmed Hassanein Is Turbocharging His Football IQ with the Lions
Cracking the Code: How Ahmed Hassanein Is Turbocharging His Football IQ with the Lions
Detroit Lions rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein is speeding up his development by going beyond just his own position—diving deep into the full defensive scheme to minimize errors and climb the depth chart faster.
The sixth-round pick from Boise State arrived with athletic upside and raw explosiveness. But in a room full of NFL-ready talent, Hassanein knew physical tools alone wouldn’t cut it. His offseason goal? Learn the playbook inside and out—understanding every alignment, movement, and coverage rule until the mental part of the game feels natural.
“It’s not just about chasing the ball,” Hassanein shared during a press appearance. “Coach Kacy’s been teaching me to see the whole picture—what the nose does, the linebackers do, not just my job. It’s like discovering a new layer of the game.”
Football IQ in Action
Rather than sticking to just edge techniques, Hassanein is studying every defensive front and learning the responsibilities of tackles and linebackers around him. Coach Kacy Rodgers keeps him accountable with daily quizzes that cover the entire front seven.
His approach? Own the mistakes. Each mental slip-up is noted, studied, and corrected in the very next rep. Over time, the missteps are becoming fewer, and the reactions quicker.
“I’m still learning. I’ll be real—I made a few mental errors today,” he admitted. “But that’s part of it. I write them down, watch the tape, fix it. That’s how I grow.”
Why It Matters for Detroit
- Flexibility in the Scheme – Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard frequently shifts from four-man rushes to Bear fronts. Hassanein’s grasp of multiple responsibilities could keep him on the field.
- Veteran Confidence – For players like Aidan Hutchinson, it’s easier to trust a rookie who understands not just what to do—but why.
- Opportunity Knocking – With Marcus Davenport on limited reps and injuries creating openings, a sharp-minded rookie has a chance to take on early snaps.
Next Steps in His Development Journey
- Daily Reps & Mental Reps – Every night, Hassanein draws up different fronts to lock them into muscle memory.
- Building Strength – Adding size and power is helping him turn mental awareness into real disruption on the field.
- Upcoming Test: Joint Practices – Against teams like Miami and Houston, Hassanein will have a chance to prove if his mental edge can translate into game-day impact.
If he continues on this trajectory, the Lions may have found a valuable contributor far beyond his draft slot—a rookie already thinking like a vet while others are still trying to line up right.
