Not all players follow a similar path before reaching the NFL level. For some players, there is a very routine and regimented structure that they follow, where football is largely the only sport they play growing up. A lot more of that has materialized recently. Whereas with other NFL players, their path may be much more unique. Some players quickly find their gift on the football field after falling into a new role. That last sentence is true for a 2022 first-round rookie of the Kansas City Chiefs, George Karlaftis.
A native of Athens, Greece, Karlaftis mainly played water polo before coming to the United States. He had a passion for that sport. So much so, that he was once a part of Greece’s 16 and under national water polo team. In addition to water polo, Karlaftis also starred in basketball and track and field before his college years. He did not play football until eighth grade. This came after he and his family had moved to the United States in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Karlaftis was undoubtedly a late bloomer in the sport of football. Because he was not just learning something new, but he was also learning an extremely nuanced position within the trenches. How did that vast multi-sport background aid George Karlaftis in his football career? What will that mean for his early years with the Chiefs? Plus, how much more growing could he still undergo, from a performance standpoint on the gridiron? Let’s kick it off.
Style Of Other Sports Has Helped To Shape Karlaftis
Throughout his athletic career, George Karlaftis has always been built by power, endurance and instincts. In all of the other sports outside of football, he was able to quickly rise with those attributes. Karlaftis learned how to take care of his pacing during his time in water polo. On the other hand, his ability to rely on mental toughness and reactionary movements grew as well. Karlaftis became rather diversified in a sport like water polo. Therefore, his ability to wear different hats on the defensive line did not come as a large surprise, once his football career expanded.
In track and field, Karlaftis was able to build up his power even further by working in the throwing events. He was a state champion in shot put during back-to-back years. Throughout those two seasons, it was not just his strength that was being built up and helping him to win titles. George Karlaftis had to fine tune his throwing technique for countless hours during the season. Because of the mix of force and routine that he had undergone, the defender was able to translate this into a vast amount of pass rush hand counter moves at the point of attack.
How Could This Help Him As Pass Rusher?
We mentioned the variety of his pass rush counter moves. His bull rush is arguably one of his stronger moves, as things currently stand. Beyond that, George Karlaftis has developed proper hand timing and placement during reps. He is able to wear down opposing blockers with his relentlessness and power at the point of attack.
There are definite signs from his athletic background that one could point to. For instance, his ability to maneuver and adjust his arms or hands is helped by his water polo history. Karlaftis knows how to contort himself or his hands to the correct position. That is especially true in the area of rushing the passer. How so? Mainly, Karlaftis is able to reduce rush angles and counteract any sort of push that the blocker may be attempting to enforce.
How Could This Help Him As Run Defender?
In turn, how does his multi-sport background help him as a run defender? George Karlaftis may not be quite as polished in this area. Yet, there are still little details that he has worked to modify that have helped him greatly. This includes being able to set a firm, hard edge. Karlaftis has improved in that regard by sticking to his attacking style and gaining leverage. That could partly be attributed to his water polo background. Additionally, Karlaftis is able to rely on his lateral quickness to get into gaps. Partly, his history of twisting and firing throughout his shot put career has benefitted him in reaching necessary landmarks and covering ground instantly.
What Does This Mean For His Early Years Of NFL Football?
George Karlaftis is likely set to be a day-one starter for the Kansas City Chiefs defense. There are going to be certain expectations for him from the get-go. While those should remain realistic, Karlaftis has shown that he can learn quickly in any role. It happened during his high school football career. It happened early on during his college career at Purdue. Meanwhile, his distinct multi-sport background allows him to play violent, while still under control. It may not be a wild attack that he displays. But at the same time, is reserved confidence carries over to the rest of the defense. Could that happen again for Karlaftis in Kansas City?
Simply put, George Karlaftis still has plenty of his best football left ahead of him. There are always going to be early learning curves for rookie defenders. Whereas with his technique, Karlaftis may have an upper hand in that area compared to other rookies. That is because of his specific multi-sport background and where that could take him down the line, regardless of how quickly he applies that to the NFL game.
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
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