The Kansas City defensive end already has a special connection to one of the rookie defensive linemen.
When the Kansas City Chiefs selected former Louisville edge rusher Ashton Gillotte with the 66th pick of April’s draft, there was already one player in the building who knew his game well. He and the Chiefs’ George Karlaftis have had college coaches in common — and in the offseason, the former Purdue defensive end still trains with them.
“It’s a crazy coincidence, you know,” Karlaftis told reporters on Thursday. “I’ve known Ashton for a few years now. He had the staff that I had at Purdue — guys I absolutely love, like family: Coach [Jeff] Brohm, Mark Hagen, Dominic Reno… After I left, they went to Louisville and coached Ashton. And they were just raving about him.”
Whenever the crew responsible for developing one of the NFL’s most underrated pass rushers is hyping up the next guy in line, you take notice. While working out together, Karlaftis even spent time mentoring the player who would soon be a teammate.
“I took him aside, showed him some stuff [and] helped him out as much as I could,” said Karlaftis. “I gave him my number and said, ‘Hey, if you have any questions, ask me.’ It’s been a great relationship. I want to help him as much as I can.”
Even though Karlaftis was in his native Greece during the draft, news of the Chiefs’ selection reached him quickly.
“I had like 50 messages saying, ‘Hey, Ashton got drafted!’” recalled Karlaftis. “It’s crazy. I’m really happy to have him here. I think he’ll be a great addition.”
Despite the previous relationship with his new teammate, Karlaftis clarified that he didn’t have any influence on the team’s decision.
“That’s kind of above my head,” he smiled. “Whoever we draft — whoever we bring in — I’m going to be happy with.”
That’s especially true with a player like Gillotte.
“First and foremost, as a defensive end, [I like] his tenacity and effort,” said Karlaftis. “Effort will never betray you. He’s a strong kid. He wants to be great. He’s humble. He’s a hard worker. I think he’ll be a great player in this league.”
The Chiefs also selected defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott in the second round. Karlaftis and the rest of the defensive line are ready to help both rookies reach their full potential.
“I know those guys,” he said. “They’re young, they’re eager. They want to learn [and] they’re humble… all the things you want to see in rookies and young guys. We’re going to help them out — and there’s definitely going to be some competition in the D-line room, I’m sure.”
With regard to Karlaftis’ own situation, the Chiefs have elected to pick up his fifth-year option — and it’s widely assumed they will sign him to a contract extension. Karlaftis isn;t allowing that to distract him.
“I’ll let whoever is to handle that, handle that, “ he insisted. “But, you know, I’d like to be here as long as I can. My now-fiancée and I absolutely love Kansas City; [I] love this organization. So, I’ll let whoever is to handle that, handle that… but I love it here.”
Karlaftis feels he is well past the point that he needs to prove anything to his defensive line coach Joe Cullen, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo or even head coach Andy Reid.
“I’ve got their back just like they’ve got mine,” he said. “I just try to put my best foot forward every day, get better, and do what I can on the field. Whatever recognition comes, it’ll come.”