LAS VEGAS – With the 30th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis Thursday night in Las Vegas. The All-American from West Lafayette became the 22nd Boilermaker to be chosen in the NFL Draft’s first round.
Karlaftis was the first Boilermaker in 11 years to be drafted in the first round, following fellow Purdue All-American defensive end Ryan Kerrigan’s selection in 2011.
Playing in 27 games over his Purdue career, Karlaftis earned All-Big Ten Conference honors following all three seasons as a Boilermaker. He was a second team honoree as a freshman and sophomore before becoming a consensus first team selection during his junior campaign, collecting All-America honors in his final season, as well.
Karlaftis is the second All-America defensive end in Purdue history, joining Kerrigan. During the 2021 season, the hometown product collected First Team All-America accolades from the AFCA to go along with second team honors from a variety of outlets. Karlaftis was one of the best defensive players in the Big Ten all season long, exemplified as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award that is given to the defensive player of the year. He was also a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the top defensive end in college football.
Helping Purdue accumulate nine wins last year, the second-most ever in a single season, Karlaftis led the Boilermakers in tackles-for-loss (11.5), sacks (5.0), forced fumbles (3), fumble recoveries (2) and quarterback hurries (8). The Purdue defensive end was a consensus First Team All-Big Ten honoree, becoming the first Boilermaker on the defensive side of the ball to be tabbed First Team All-Big Ten in nine years. His 11.5 tackles-for-loss ranked seventh in the Big Ten, as Karlaftis recorded at least 1.0 TFL in eight of nine conference games.
Karlaftis was one of only four Big Ten defenders to force at least three fumbles throughout the 2021 campaign. Perhaps his most memorable play of his career was a 56-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Wisconsin (Oct. 23). Making an impact on special teams as well, Karlaftis blocked the first field goal of his career in a win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field (Nov. 20); it was the first field goal blocked by a Boilermaker since 2018.
The 2022 NFL Draft continues Friday and Saturday (April 29-30) as more Boilermakers hope to hear their names called. Friday’s coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET, while Saturday kicks off at Noon on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC.
Purdue First Round NFL Draft Picks (Overall Pick in Parentheses)
1937 – Johnny Drake, B, Cleveland Rams (10)
1938 – Cecil Isbell, B, Green Bay Packers (7)
1955 – Tom Bettis, G, Green Bay Packers (5)
1957 – Len Dawson, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (5)
1963 – Don Brumm, DE, St. Louis Cardinals (13)
1966 – Jerry Shay, T, Minnesota Vikings (7)
1967 – Bob Griese, QB, Miami Dolphins (4)
1967 – John Charles, DB, Boston Patriots (21)
1969 – Leroy Keyes, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (3)
1970 – Mike Phipps, QB, Cleveland Browns (3)
1973 – Dave Butz, DT, St. Louis Cardinals (5)
1973 – Otis Armstrong, RB, Denver Broncos (9)
1973 – Darryl Stingley, WR, New England Patriots (19)
1975 – Larry Burton, WR, New Orleans Saints (7)
1976 – Mike Pruitt, RB, Cleveland Browns (7)
1976 – Ken Novak, DT, Baltimore Colts (20)
1986 – Jim Everett, QB, Houston Oilers (3)
1987 – Rod Woodson, DB, Pittsburgh Steelers (10)
2007 – Anthony Spencer, DE, Dallas Cowboys (26)
2008 – Dustin Keller, TE, New York Jets (30)
2011 – Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Washington Redskins (16)
2022 – George Karlaftis, DE, Kansas City Chiefs (30)
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