Prospect Profile: DE/OLB Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah - BYU

BYU Profile:

Name:  Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah  
Height:  6' - 6"     
Weight:  270 lbs.
Class:  Senior  
Roster Years:  2010 - 2012
Hometown:  Accra, Ghana   
Date of Birth:  5/29/89 (22 years old)
Last School:  Presbyterian Boys School  



BYU Statistics:  

2012 (Sr.):  57 total tackles (30 solo), 13 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 8 PBU, 7 QBH.  Voted 1st Team All-Independent by members of a nationwide media panel, which includes equal representation from each of the independent institutions' coverage markets.  2012 Burlsworth Trophy Semi-Finalist, which is awarded to the nations' top Walk-On.

2011 (Jr.):  7 total tackles (3 solo), 1 QBH  

2010 (So.):  3 total tackles (1 solo), 1 PBU

Senior Year (2012) Highlights:


 

The Ziggy Ansah Story:

 

Positives (+):
+ Brute strength
+ Good closing speed
+ Power rusher with quickness and speed
+ Coachability
+ Limitless potential
+ High Motor
+ Versatility
+ Good play recognition
+ Shows good gap discipline
+ Plays with a certain toughness

Negatives (-): 
- Creating a solid base
- Footwork and Technique is still raw
- Development of better hand use
- Needs to improve pad level

NFL Draft Outlook:
Update: Ansah likely will be a Top 10 pick, but could fall to the mid-1st Round should the expected early run on Offensive Tackles and possibly Quarterbacks be as ravenous as expected.

Ansah destroyed the Combine, and apparently he spent the whole "prep time" he had studying at BYU rather than training specifically for the event.  This certainly speaks to his immense athletic talent and limitless potential as a versatile defender.

When looking at the tape and the stats people must realize that this is a young man who had never played football until 3 years ago.  During those 3 years he has wowed coaches and showed improvement in leaps and bounds when given more and more time on the field.

Outlook as a Raider:
Reggie McKenzie wants someone on this team that a QB will be scared of and I think Ansah can come in and be that guy.  Tarver can mold the kid into a versatile, dominant force.  The question whether or not Ansah wants to be great, wants to be a Pro Bowler, is unanswerable to us in the internet draft community...however the Raiders put Ezekiel Ansah through an excessively rigorous, staminous workout at his BYU Pro Day...then had a dinner with him.  Hopefully, they know who the kid is.  Whether or not Oakland will spend a No. 3 pick on the kid is yet to be known, but at No. 7 or No. 12 in certain trade down scenarios...to the Raiders it could be a no brainer.