Position/ Defensive End
Height / 6’4” – Weight / 273 lbs
College / Purdue
Class / Junior
NFL Comprasion / Ryan Kerrigan
Games Watched / at NOTRE DAME 2021, at IOWA 2021, Home INDIANA 2021
Big 10 All-First Team 2021
STRENGTHS: Karlaftis set the bar very high as a True Freshman in (2019) by reaching AP First-Team Freshman All-American behind a dominating 17 tackles for loss, 54 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, and two fumbles recovered. The first thing that initially jumps out about the Purdue pass rusher is his size. At 6’4” 273 lbs, Karlaftis possesses imposing dimensions and tremendous power at the point of attack. He commands a constant double team whenever lined up in the four technique or a tight end to stay in and protect whenever standing up. Outstanding strength, balance, effort, and bullrushes are his preferred recipe for getting to the QB.
The spin move back inside across the Offensive Tackle is his secondary move; more times than not place him right in position to collapse the B-GAP and get the sack or stop any inside dives; or zone runs. He’s a high motor selfless player willing to play anywhere on the Boilermakers front in 2021 and was a consistent disruption. Best when he can line up on the tackles outside shoulder and utilize his striking punch move to the chest, which puts him in prime position to choose which gap to take to the QB. He plays the run willingly and, as well as you would like from an End his size. Throwback Defensive end with impressive Size, Power, Motor, and Raw Skills.
AREAS OF WORK: As expected, with a player of his size comes some major mobility concerns at the next level. Karlaftis lacks hip flexibility (loose hips), short-area quickness, and closing speed. George isn’t a “High End” Athlete. While he dominates with brute force and will for a large segment of the game, there are other moments where he gets washed out of the pursuit. By getting caught up in blocks, and not being agile enough to shed early as possible.
This one issue plagues most bullrush specialists until they become more skilled with their handwork while in pursuit. His pursuit of the QB is all but over if the tackle or guard can match his power at the point and get under his pads, and his swim move isn’t as effective as it should be from his lack of loose hips and knee bend. Another area where his lack of athleticism shows up is whenever offenses put him in space with the responsibility of covering backs. Lacks the change of direction skills to squeeze down the line and track down backs or redirect.
