‘My brothers are eating’: Boise State’s Hassanein puts teammate achievements above his own

BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Through the first few games of the 2024 season, doubt started to creep into Ahmed Hassanein’s head.

The senior defensive end for Boise State was coming off a junior year in which he led the Broncos in sacks with 12.5, six more than the next-closest player.

He said he’d put a lot of pressure on himself to eclipse that number in 2024 and continue to lead the team in sacks. But through the first three games of the 2024 season, including in a game against FCS opponent Portland State, the 6-foot-3 Egyptian had managed just two sacks.

“Am I not doing my job? Am I not winning my one-on-one? Am I not creating pressure?” he would ask himself.

The outside noise was becoming too much. “Why aren’t you the sack leader anymore?” he’d hear — and not just from internet strangers, but from family members, too.

“This is something that I had to shut off,” Hassanein told reporters Tuesday.

But as Hassanein took to the film room to figure out what was wrong, he realized something. Nothing was wrong with his game. He not only saw how productive he was in the pass rush but also how his teammates were succeeding because of his effort.

The Broncos have the second-most sacks in the nation with 41, already surpassing last year’s season total of 36. Seeing that has changed Hassanein’s whole perception of his role on the team.

“My brothers are eating,” Hassanein said. “I should be happy. I should be encouraging.”

One of those guys eating well is redshirt sophomore edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan. He and Hassanein have formed a fearsome duo this season, as Virgin-Morgan leads the team with nine sacks.

“It’s his time, he’s making it happen,” Hassanein said about Virgin-Morgan. “I’m so proud of him. He also works really hard. He’s my teammate and he’s my brother.”

Virgin-Morgan’s ascension has been the most notable this year — he entered 2024 without a collegiate sack to his name. However, other players have also upped their sack numbers, including senior safety Seyi Oladipo’s 5.5 sacks (1.5 last year) and junior defensive tackle Braxton Fely’s 4.5 sacks (three last year).

Hassanein was voted a team captain ahead of the 2024 season, which has helped him better understand that if the team is doing well, he’s doing well.

Shortly after realizing he was doing his job, he stood before the rest of his defensive teammates and let them know he wasn’t even worried about his sack numbers. The message: If you’re winning, I’m winning.

“This is the job as a captain, as a leader,” Hassanein said. “To encourage teammates and be happy for them, other than just listening to the outside noise. People who don’t know football, who don’t know what’s going on, just because I don’t have the stats doesn’t mean I’m not productive.”

When: 5 p.m. Mountain time Saturday

Where: War Memorial Stadium (29,181, turf); Laramie, Wyoming

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: KBOI 670 AM and KBOI 93.1 FM/Sirius XM Ch. 162 or 201 (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)

Records: Boise State 9-1, 6-0; Wyoming 2-8, 2-4

Series: Boise State leads the series 17-1

Vegas line: Boise State by 23 points

Weather: High of 55, low of 34, humidity 45%, partly cloudy with gusty winds, 8% chance of rain or snow