( CNN ) -- 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 could n'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 does n'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 . The Lions coach will be hoping Ansah , who was the Senior Bowl 's most outstanding player , can improve a Detroit team which had a losing record of 4-12 in 2012 . `` We watched him get better every single day , '' said Schwartz . `` He 's an inexperienced player , but he 's a very instinctive player . We liked everything about him . We had a good feel for him . `` He 's inexperienced , but he 's not a developmental player . ''
Ezekiel Ansah is picked fifth overall in the NFL draft in New York . He , known as ` ` Ziggy '' , will play for the Detroit Lions . The 23-year - old arrived in the U.S. in 2009 on an academic scholarship at Brigham Young University . Ansah tried out for the football team before taking up gridiron in 2010 .