It is not all the time we get to hear of young Ghanaians who have been able to stay true to their passion and eventually landing them on an unimaginable height.

A young man from Ghana- Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah on Thursday at the opening day of the Draft, was picked up by one of NFL’s 32 teams -Detroit Lions…

Ghana’s Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah’s journey to the top of gridiron has been sprinkled with more than a hint of stardust.

We wish him the best…

CNN Writes;

From a young basketball hopeful in Accra, Ghana to fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft for the Detroit Lions.

Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah’s journey to the top of gridiron has been sprinkled with more than a hint of stardust.

When the 23-year-old, who also played soccer as a child, moved to the United States in 2008, he couldn’t have dreamed of what came to pass in New York on Thursday on the opening day of the Draft, when the NFL’s 32 teams pick up young college talent.

“I’ve worked hard toward this and I actually earned it,” Ansah, who only began playing football in 2010, told reporters on a conference call after being drafted by the Lions.

“It’s been a humbling experience and a crazy journey.”

The 23-year-old Ghanaian arrived in the U.S. on an academic scholarship with the Brigham Young University in Utah, which is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints — more commonly known as the Mormon Church.

Keen to pursue his hoop dreams, Ansah tried out for the basketball team, but after failing to make the grade, he took up athletics because of his sprinting speed.

Ansah ran the 100 meters in 10.91 seconds and the 200m in 21.89 secs, according to the official website of the Lions.

When you couple that athletic speed with an imposing six feet five inches frame — Ansah weighs 275 pounds — it is not hard to see why he appealed to the school’s football team.

Despite his lack of playing experience, Lions general manager Martin Mayhew suggested he can be an immediate asset for the team.

“I do see him as an impactful player right away,” said Mayhew. “Sacks come when they come … but he’s going to be a guy that will play a big role for us on defense.”

Ansah’s adjustment to life in the NFL might be made all the easier as he has already worked with Lions head coach Jim Schwartz at the Senior Bowl — the annual game which pits the best Draft prospects against each other.

“It will be a lot easier. I’m really comfortable with them,” added Ansah, whose mother Elizabeth was flown over to join her son at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, where the Draft is held.

“I know how our coach is so, you know, just like giving me that chance is going to make it a lot easier.

“It doesn’t matter the experience that I’ve got. All I know is I’ve just got to produce and work on my technique and I know that the Detroit Lions are willing to work with me.

“I’m not going to make any promises. All I have to do is work hard and see what happens.”

Schwartz, who coached a team of prospects from schools in the south in the Senior Bowl, has been impressed with what he saw from Ansah.