Chiefs UDFA Spotlight: Western Kentucky CB Kahlef Hailassie

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.

Stats

Oregon (2018-2019): 13 games played. Three total tackles.

Western Kentucky (2021-2022): 26 games played. 123 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, four interceptions, 15 passes defended, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Combine & pro day results

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195

40-yard dash: 4.53s

Vertical: 32.5″

Broad: 121″

Bench: 9

3-Cone: 6.68s

Short Shuttle: 4.19s

Highlights & film

Fit with the Chiefs

Hailassie was one of several players to take a top-30 visit with the Chiefs ahead of the 2023 NFL draft. Typically, the team hosts players on these types of visits to fill in the gaps, sell players on the team and get a better idea of how they’d mesh with the team culture.

At Western Kentucky, Hailassie played a lot of off-man coverage, where he could attack the football. During the pre-draft process at the East-West Shrine Bowl practices, he sought to prove he could play press-man coverage. In Kansas City, he’ll probably be asked to do much more of the former than the latter. He’s played with the third-team unit with the Chiefs in the offseason program and he’s had some opportunities to make plays on the ball against Shane Buechele.

As with every undrafted free agent, special teams will be vital to Hailassie’s ability to make the 53-man roster. He’s likely to be a multiphase special teamer on coverage and block units, which could bode well for his chances to at the very least make the practice squad. With the number of draft investments the team has made at the cornerback position, it’ll be tough to make the roster at that spot outright without catching some breaks along the way.

2023 UDFA Spotlight Series

Story originally appeared on Chiefs Wire