Purdue LB Yanni Karlaftis enters the NCAA Transfer Portal

On Monday, Purdue linebacker Yanni Karlaftis announced he is entering the NCAA Transfer Portal. Karlaftis spent three seasons with the Boilermakers.

“After much reflection and prayer, I have made the difficult decision to enter the transfer portal and explore new opportunities to continue my academic and athletic career,” Karlaftis wrote. “My time at Purdue has been incredibly special, and I am grateful for every moment. I want to thank Coach Walters, Coach Rowe, and the entire coaching staff for their guidance and support throughout my time as a Boilermaker. To my teammates – thank you for the brotherhood we’ve built and the memories we’ve created both on and off the field. You will always be family.

“To the incredible Purdue fans and the entire Boilermaker community – thank you for welcoming me and supporting me throughout my journey. I am proud to have been part of this program and will always cherish my time in West Lafayette. As I look ahead to the next chapter of my career, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead while remaining forever grateful for my Purdue experience.”

Karlaftis appeared in all 12 of the Boilermakers’ games this season, tallying 57 tackles, one pass defended and an assisted sack. Karlaftis’ 57 tackles were the third-most on the team.

In the 2023 campaign, Karlaftis made 12 appearances and eight starts. He finished the season with 55 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. Karlsaftis saw limited action in the 2022 and 2021 seasons, recording a combined eight tackles.

He redshirted his true freshman season, thus possessing one more year of eligibility. It was a difficult season for Purdue, finishing 1-11 and 0-9 in conference play. On Sunday, the program fired head coach Ryan Walters. This season was his second at the helm of the Boilermakers.

Evidently, Karlaftis isn’t sticking around to meet Purdue’s next headman. He is the fifth Purdue to play to enter the transfer portal during or since the conclusion of the 2024 regular season.

Yanni Karlaftis played high school football at West Lafayette (IN), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 403 overall player and No. 42 linebacker in the 2021 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.