NFL Draft 2013: Ezekiel Ansah, Defensive End, BYU Scouting Report

As we gear up for the 2013 NFL Draft, you will begin to see scouting reports on some of the hottest and most intriguing prospects in this year’s draft class. Prospects will have two remaining major chances to boost their draft stock — their school’s Pro Day and the NFL Scouting Combine. But while they can improve their stock at those events, the game film never lies. Let’s take a look at the tape.

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad defensive lineman Ezekial Ansah of Brigham Young (47) tackles Senior Bowl north squad wide receiver Denard Robinson of Michigan (16) during the first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

For our first installment of the scouting report series, I’ll take a look at one of the standout performers from Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Alabama.

The player: BYU defensive lineman Ezekiel Ansah.

Originally from Ghana, Ansah is one of the fastest risers in this year’s draft class and he has captured the imagination of draft scouts everywhere. Ansah is already an incredibly talented player, but he is still growing as a player.

In fact, Ansah did not beginning playing football until 2010. It is scary to think just how good he can be once he learns the game.

Here is a scouting report based on what Ansah’s film has shown:

Player: Ezekiel Ansah
School: Brigham Young
Height: 6-foot-5 1/4
Weight: 274-pounds

Pros:

Explosive off the line
Quick burst
Natural bender
Very athletic
Quick learner
High ceiling
Great footwork
Uses hands well
Well-rounded speed/power rush
Relentless pursuit of the ball
Ability to drop in coverage
Scheme versatile

Cons:

Still learning the game
Technique could use refinement

Overview: Ansah is considered a raw prospect in the mold of Jason Pierre-Paul. While he is still new to the game, Ansah appears to have great natural instincts. The lack of football experience will cause some to question Ansah’s football IQ, but that will improve with time. Ansah has experience moving along the defensive front at BYU and that will help him as he comes to the NFL and is forced to learn a new defensive scheme. He has a rare combination of speed and size and has the ability to drop in coverage as well as rush the passer.

It is possible that Ansah could be asked to shed some pounds and play rush linebacker in a 3-4, but his most natural fit will be in a 4-3 defense.

If he continues to improve during draft season and impress at his Pro Day and at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, we should be seeing Ansah come off the board in the top 15 picks of April’s draft. There is even a chance he could crack the top ten.

Here is Ansah taking on national championship contender Notre Dame:

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