No one knows in what direction the New York Giants may be headed with their first-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, but there has been plenty of speculation that it could be another elite pass rusher to bolster the defensive line.
Of the top pass-rushing prospects, none have received more hype than that of Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah from Brigham Young University. His raw skill and high ceiling were elevated by an impressive senior season during which he recorded 62 tackles, 13 of which went for a loss, 4 1/2 sacks and an interception.
Ansah has said that no team has shown any real interest in him but the Ghana-born athlete did not shy away from admitting at least one team he would not mind playing on.
“[Jason Pierre-Paul] from the New York Giants is someone I really look up to and someone I try to play like,” he told reporters yesterday during a Pre-Draft Play 60 event at Chelsea Waterside Park in New York City. And when asked about playing opposite JPP on the Giants defensive line he answered quite simply, “That would be great!”
Ansah’s comments are interesting as Pierre-Paul has been the player he’s drawn most comparisons to. Similar to Pierre-Paul coming out of the University of South Florida in 2010, Ansah has very limited experience as well. He played just three years of competitive football at BYU. Still, his physical gifts and unbelievable learning curve make him a compelling prospect. Such a dynamic duo as one with Pierre-Paul and Ansah could be difficult for most teams to overcome once Ansah has adapted to the NFL game.
The 6-foot-5, 271-pound defensive player believes that all he has accomplished in such a short amount of time should make him stand out from other prospects at his position.
“I think I can fit anywhere, it don’t matter,” he said. “Play head up on a tackle and stop the run, play outside or rush the quarterback from a nine. It just depends on the team I’m going to be on and how they want to use me.”
Ansah proved his versatility at the NFL Combine when he performed as impressively in pass coverage as he did in defensive line drills. It’s well documented that Giants’ general manager Jerry Reese loves versatile athletes and the former Cougar certainly fits the mold.
He did go on to state that he hadn’t met formally with the Giants in New York but had spoken with them at the NFL Combine back in February.
For Big Blue to select Ansah, a projected top-10 pick, it would likely take a surprising drop down the board to No. 19 or a rare trade up by New York to lock up the promising pass rusher. Fortunately for Ansah, he’s not worried about where he’s selected.
“I try my hardest not to get on the web or listen to anybody,” he said. “By the end of the day, there’s a team that’s going to draft whoever they want, you know, so I just gotta wait and see what happens.”
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.