West Lafayette's Yanni Karlaftis sets college announcement date
Gibson Southern quarterback Brady Allen is expected to announce his college decision Wednesday. The Boilermakers are in the mix for the 2022 prospect
Mike Carmin
WEST LAFAYETTE –“LET’S BRING THIS KID HOME!!”
And don’t forget the train emoji at the end.
Soon after Yanni Karlaftis – West Lafayette’s standout linebacker and one of the top recruits in the 2021 class – posted on Twitter he was announcing his college decision on Aug. 9, his older brother offered an opinion on the same social media machine.
It’s no secret where George Karlaftis – who will be a sophomore defensive end at Purdue - wants to see his younger brother attend college. But as of Monday, Yanni claims he hasn’t made a final decision between the Boilermakers, Wisconsin, California and Oregon.
On Aug. 9, everyone will find out.
“George tries to help and be a good brother,” Yanni said. “Of course, he wants me to go to Purdue and tells me, ‘Yeah, I think it’s the best place for you’ and stuff like that. But he’s been very helpful with the process and he’s always around to answer questions.”
The questions will soon end since the younger Karlaftis put a deadline on his decision.
It was always Karlaftis’ intent to announced his college choice before his senior season with the Red Devils but the coronavirus pandemic brought recruiting visits to a halt, leaving only virtual contact and phone calls to build relationships.
SOUTH END ZONE:Purdue's new Ross-Ade Stadium video activated
SCHEDULE CHANGES:Purdue loses three non-conference games
Before COVID-19, Karlaftis planned to visit California and Oregon and get a first-hand look at each campus on the West Coast. He’s familiar with Purdue and Wisconsin, visiting both places several times.
“A lot of calls, a lot of relationship building,” Karlaftis said about California and Oregon. “I can go and look at what the colleges look like at any time. They’re beautiful schools in beautiful areas but I really want to know the people that are going to get to coach me. I’m trying to build that right now.”
It’s the same with Purdue and Wisconsin. The Boilermakers underwent three changes on the defensive staff, including adding Bob Diaco as the coordinator and linebackers coach after last season. He replaced Nick Holt, who helped bring George Karlaftis from across the street to campus.
“It’s building my relationship with the coaches,” Yanni said. “I still call them a lot and talk to them just to get to know them better, just to feel comfortable and to know that I’m the right fit for them and they’re the right fit for me.”
The Aug. 9 date doesn’t hold any significance, Karlaftis said. It’s just a date on the calendar around the time frame he was going to announce even before the outbreak of the virus.
“In my head, I’m getting down to it and getting to know schools and building those relationships,” he said. “I’m close to where I want to be but I’m not there yet. I don’t have a for sure decision in my head.
“A lot of people have said, ‘Hey, you posted your date – where are you going to go?’ I don’t know myself yet. In my head, about a month from now, three weeks from now, I should be pretty certain where I want to go.”
QB TARGET
Coach Jeff Brohm could get a head start on his 2022 recruiting class Wednesday when Gibson Southern quarterback Brady Allen announces his college decision.
The 6-foot-5 Allen, the state’s top quarterback and the No. 4 prospect according to 247sports.com, has offers from Indiana, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Kansas and West Virginia.
Allen has thrown 60 touchdown passes during his first two seasons.
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter @carmin_jc