STRATFORD, Wis. (WSAW) – Stratford native Easton Kilty is having a hard time believing his football journey is real. A week before the NFL Draft begins in Green Bay, Kilty is trying to process just how cool it would be to get his name called.
“It’d be crazy for sure,” said Kilty. “You could ask me my junior year of high school, I would’ve said you were crazy because I was only 200 pounds my junior year, so I would’ve been like ‘There’s no way,’ but yeah, it’s been a long journey.”
Kilty is thankful for his Stratford roots, knowing this whole career started there.
“I wouldn’t be where I’m at without all the coaches and all the people that helped me along the way at Stratford, especially my parents pushing me from a young age,” said Kilty. “I think Stratford’s known for that. You see a lot of people come out of Stratford determined to achieve big things and I think that’s what sets Stratford apart from some places.”
Kilty just finished his final season of college football at Kansas State as a grad transfer. He ended his career there after grad-transferring from North Dakota. The two schools brought different experiences, but Kilty is grateful to have both.
“I wouldn’t change my journey for anything, being able to go to North Dakota for four years and Kansas State for one, I wouldn’t change it for anything,” said Kilty.
Kilty was a second-team All-Big 12 selection in his final season as an offensive tackle, showing he made the adjustment of going from FCS to FBS seamlessly.
“I proved that I’m one of the top tackles, I think in the Big 12 and obviously going forward into the Draft, I think I’m one of the best offensive linemen,” said Kilty.
He is comfortable playing wherever, though at the next level, something he thinks adds to his draft value.
“With me, I played right tackle, right guard, left tackle, just as versatile as I am, that’s what most teams are looking for,” said Kilty. “At the NFL level, they’re mostly looking at me as a guard, but you never know, I could be moved to tackle one game, then guard so versatility is the best ability you can have going into the NFL Draft because it can improve your draft stock.”
In terms of the type of person a team could get in Kilty, he’s made it clear that he’s willing and hungry to learn.
“I think I’m smart and able to understand things faster than people, just understand defenses a lot, quicker than most people,” said Kilty. “Just being a team player, just not selfish, being selfless and being able to plug and play wherever the coaches need me to, being able to be coachable is a big thing for me and so is being a great teammate.”
The fact that the draft happens to be in Green Bay is just another cool element to the whole process.
“It’s just weird how it all works out,’ said Kilty. “The year I come out for the Draft, it’s in Wisconsin which is kind of crazy, so close to home.”
As he waits for whatever the future holds for him, he knows wherever he goes, he’ll be ready to get to work.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity if I get picked and if I get picked up as a free agent, just thankful for the opportunity,” said Kilty.
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