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When Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah was selected fifth overall by the Detroit Lions in last week's NFL Draft, it was obviously a huge moment for the former Cougar defensive end. It was also just as big for Brigham Young University and the football program.
Exposure has been a popular word since BYU decided to go Independent in football. The Cougars want as much exposure as they can possibly get for the University and its athletic programs. Ziggy's story, personality and football abilities were just what the doctor ordered.
Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall, who was with Ansah in New York City, told me that Ziggy received more media attention than any other player.
"Of all the first-round picks that went," said Mendenhall, "Ziggy was with the media the longest; his story was the compelling story. The time that he spent exceeded that by any other player by almost 2 to 1 because of the uniqueness of his story, but also the institution."
Between ESPN and the NFL Network, the first-round of the NFL Draft brought a combined 7.7 million-viewer average between the two networks. Nielsen estimates that a total of 20 million viewers tuned in to either broadcast at one point during the draft.
With that many eyeballs watching the draft, BYU has to feel great about how many people were exposed to Ziggy's story and BYU as an institution. From a football standpoint, you can't put a price on the amount coverage the Cougars have received from this experience.
Strictly from a recruiting perspective, Ziggy's rise to the fifth pick is invaluable -- and Bronco said the Cougars are already seeing the recruiting benefits of it.
"Each coach they go into visit has seen and knows about Ezekiel Ansah," Bronco said. "That's not only happening in our local recruiting areas, it's now happening in Texas, in California, in Oregon, in Washington, in Arizona; and now that's just being expanded farther and farther east and throughout the country because of what Ziggy has done."
Just looking at BYU's past draft history, most of the players that have been taken are quarterbacks, tight ends, receivers and offensive lineman. Ziggy broke the mold, and now potential recruits have a frame of reference that proves that you can come to BYU and get noticed on defense.
The good news for BYU is that this year is most likely just the beginning of what should be a run on BYU players being drafted high into the NFL. Senior linebacker Kyle Van Noy and senior wide receiver Cody Hoffman are poised to turn heads during the 2013 college football season.
If all goes according to plan, Van Noy, Hoffman and others will only add to the positive exposure that BYU and the football program are currently enjoying.
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Photos: Courtesy of Jaren Wilkey and BYU Photo
