LB Yanni Karlaftis forging own identity on Purdue defense
George Karlaftis casts a big shadow in West Lafayette, one that often swallows up brother Yanni Karlaftis. But, the younger Karlaftis has emerged to forge his own identity this season for the Purdue defense.
“Yanni has gotten better as the year has gone on,” said defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Kevin Kane. “I’d love to see him be more attacking and downhill, and that’ll come with more reps and more plays. But he has a certain quality about him where the players look at him and respect him.”
George got to see Yanni’s growth last week, coming back to campus while the Kansas City Chiefs were on a bye to watch the Boilermakers after the two played together at nearby West Lafayette High School.
“It was a real good experience,” said Yanni of having George back to watch him play in Purdue’s 49-30 win vs. Minnesota last Saturday. “I hadn’t seen George probably since the summer. So, just getting to see him and having him see me up close was real special.”
George Karlaftis is emerging as one of the NFL’s better pass rushers in his second season with the Chiefs. Through nine games, Karlaftis has recorded 15 tackles, six sacks and forced a fumble for the defending Super Bowl champs, who are 7-2 in 2023.
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Yanni has emerged, too. He has started the last six games this season at inside linebacker, after O.C. Brothers was lost to injury, notching 44 tackles (fourth on the team) with 1.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks. Karlaftis set a career-high with nine tackles vs. Ohio State in October.
“I feel like every game, every snap just gives me more confidence,” said Karlaftis. “At first, I was a little nervous, but I fit in more to the role every week, week-by-week. And every game, it kind of relieves the stress off of me.”
The 6-3, 235-pound Karlaftis will look to keep developing when Purdue (3-7 overall; 2-5 Big Ten) plays at Northwestern (5-5; 3-4) on Saturday at noon on BTN.
“He’s live with his communication, so he’s getting guys lined up in the right spot,” said Kane. “He’s still young at that position, as far as playing linebacker. You see growth every week. Every week, I challenge him to do something different, to add to his game and he’s just kind of taken that and gone with it.”
