Tag: Kahlef Hailassie

Chiefs UDFA Spotlight: Western Kentucky CB Kahlef Hailassie

Our UDFA Spotlight Series continues with a look at a cornerback who took a top-30 visit with the #Chiefs:

A three-star recruit out of Cosumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove, California, Hailassie played receiver and had over a dozen offers, most in the Mountain West and PAC-12. He committed to Oregon and played two seasons with the Ducks, playing a little cornerback, but mostly on special teams.

Hailassie attempted to transfer to Weber State in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on those plans. Hailassie ended up at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas. He didn’t end up playing football that season, but kept up his academics and was able to transfer to Western Kentucky in 2021.

Chiefs sign Western Kentucky CB Kahlef Hailassie to 90-man roster

Despite prior reports that he’d signed with the #Jets, the #Chiefs have signed Western Kentucky CB Kahlef Hailassie to their 90-man roster.

The Kansas City Chiefs seem to have stolen an undrafted free agent from another team in the AFC.

It was previously reported that Western Kentucky CB Kahlef Hailassie had signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, with over $160K in guaranteed money attached to the contract. That deal seems to have fallen through.

Hailassie posted on Twitter on Sunday evening indicating that he’d signed with the Chiefs. The team already has the rookie corner listed on their official roster. It’s unclear what exactly happened or the details surrounding his deal with K.C., but he’s now officially a member of the team.

The 6-foot and 195-pound cornerback prospect was one of the 30 players to visit the Chiefs in Kansas City ahead of the 2023 NFL draft. A transfer from Oregon, Hailassie posted impressive production in back-to-back seasons with the Hilltoppers. He recorded 123 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, four interceptions and 15 passes defended in 26 games played. His pro agilities posted during his pro day (4.06s shuttle and 6.68s 3-cone) would have been second to only Kansas State CB Julius Brents (Indianapolis Colts, Round 2) had Hailassie been invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.

There likely won’t be any corresponding roster moves here as the Chiefs are expected to receive a roster exemption for international OL Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick.

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Eagles meeting with Western Kentucky CB Kahlef Hailassie on a pre-draft visit

The Philadelphia Eagles are set to host Western Kentucky cornerback Kahlef Hailassie on a pre-draft visit

The 2023 NFL draft is just ten days away.

As teams around the league wrap up their visits and prospects meetings, Philadelphia welcomes a talented cornerback to the NovaCare Complex.

Tom Pelissero said the Eagles met with Western Kentucky defensive back Kahlef Hailassie.

The former Oregon commit started all 12 games at cornerback, making 65 tackles, with eight being for loss.

Hailassie recorded a sack in each of WKU’s first three games of the year, and he recorded two interceptions on the year, both in wins over FIU and UAB.

In addition to his two interceptions, Hailassie broke up ten passes. He also forced two fumbles and recorded one. For his efforts, he was named to the All-C-USA Second Team.

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Chiefs to host Western Kentucky CB Kahlef Hailassie on top-30 visit

The #Chiefs are set to host an underrated cornerback prospect out of Western Kentucky on a top-30 visit.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to bring players in for top-30 visits ahead of the 2023 NFL draft. They’ve brought in players who are considered among the best in the draft class and others who are expected to be Day 3 picks or priority free agent signings.

According to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler, the Chiefs have a top-30 visit scheduled with Western Kentucky CB Kahlef Hailassie. He’s the second WKU player they’ll have in for a top-30 visit alongside defensive lineman Brodric Martin. A transfer from Oregon, Hailassie has spent the past two seasons terrorizing offenses in Conference USA. In 26 games with the Hilltoppers across 2021 and 2022, Hailassie amassed 123 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, four interceptions and 15 passes defended.

The 6-foot and 195-pound corner turned some heads with his pro day workout, posting a 4.06s short shuttle and a 6.68s 3-cone time. Those numbers are well below the mean for defensive backs throughout NFL combine history and would have been second to only Kansas State CB Julius Brents at the combine.

If you’re not familiar with top-30 visits, these are the 30 allotted pre-draft visits that NFL teams are permitted to conduct with draft prospects. Teams use these visits in a variety of different ways, whether they’re looking to gather information on medical, background or simply gauge how a player might fit within their team culture.

Hailassie did participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl, so the Chiefs had a chance to meet with him prior to this top-30 visit. It’ll be interesting to see what transpires here given that Hailassie is also taking a pre-draft visit with one of Kansas City’s top AFC rivals — the Cincinnati Bengals.

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