At 275 pounds, Ashton Gillotte presents a profile that intrigues. Although he’s considered a bit of a ‘tweener’ for teams as he meets and doesn’t exceed specific thresholds, he’s developed into a cornerstone prospect to become familiar with as the 2025 NFL Draft process kicks into high gear.
Among the ACC leaders in sacks and tackles for loss last fall, Gillotte has been outstanding once again in his final campaign at Louisville. A force that has consistently disrupted opposing offenses, his ability to win at the point of attack against both tackles and guards, while shifting out to win the edge on third downs, ultimately sets him apart at his size. His skill set is robust, featuring an excellent first step, active hands, and a powerful lower body that generates a high amount of force at contact.
One of Gillotte's most intriguing attributes is his inside-out alignment versatility. While primarily a 5-tech edge rusher (outside shoulder of the OT), Louisville has often deployed him inside at 3-tech to counter the run, or even as a wide-9 to create as linear an angle as possible to the QB. It’s versatility that stems from his excellent blend of power and athleticism, allowing him to generate mismatches up front against opponents who struggle to handle explosiveness from larger athletes. When aligned inside, Gillotte’s quickness off the ball and ability to corner at unconventional angles make him a nightmare for interior blockers. He uses his hands effectively to shed blocks and can collapse the pocket by winning through the chest of a lineman or by slicing through gaps with finesse.
At his mass, Gillotte’s twitch and short-area quickness are outstanding. He fires off the snap with a burst typically seen in lighter edge rushers, allowing him to beat tackles to the corner. Then he also touts the flexibility and balance that allow him to dip under blocks while maintaining speed—traits that amplify his pass-rushing ceiling. Gillotte also excels in pursuit, displaying lateral agility to redirect and chase down plays from the backside. His motor always runs hot, and he consistently wins with effort when initial moves are stymied. Ultimately, he showcases traits that allow him to project as a three-down player on Sundays, capable of impacting the game on running or passing downs.
With another 54 pressures and a handful of sacks this fall so far, Gillotte will enter the winter months as one of the top defensive prospects from the ACC. His inside-out versatility, combined with production and excellent athletic traits, suggests he could thrive in various defensive architectures. Gillotte’s knack for disrupting the line of scrimmage is expected to be valued early on in the 2025 NFL Draft.
