Yanni Karlaftis, Northwestern Football News: Draft Scout Player News

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08/18/21 - ILB Yanni Karlaftis, rSr/2026, Northwestern

With each day, Yanni Karlaftis feels better. He's regaining his quickness. His confidence grows with each repetition. His comfort level increases as he learns the playbook. It's been a long process for the West Lafayette graduate to finally participate in a practice. Any practice. He's made it through four at Purdue and the next step is to play for the Boilermakers during the upcoming season. "It's actually been fun to play some football," Karlaftis said. Karlaftis hasn't played in a game since last year's season opener between the Red Devils and Lafayette Jeff. A hamstring injury sidelined the star linebacker for the rest of the 2020 season and it carried over to Purdue where Karlaftis didn't compete in spring practice.

He enrolled in January with the idea spring practice would be the beginning of his college career, teaming with his older brother, George, a defensive end who may be entering his last season before heading to the NFL. Instead, the younger Karlaftis spent most of his time in the training room rehabilitating his hamstring, which was in bad shape, and working with strength and conditioning coaches. It wasn't until summer conditioning that Karlaftis was returned to being a football player. "I knew my hamstring was really bad," Karlaftis said. "I've never been injured too much before like that. Getting it back took so long. I didn't think I would be out too much of my high school season. That, along with spring ball, and however long I've been here. "Every day I feel better. Every day I feel fast. It's really nice." - Journal and Courier

rSr/2026