Kahlef Hailassie Bio
Kahlef Hailassie is an American professional football safety who plays in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently a member of the Minnesota Vikings organization, working with the team’s practice squad. Hailassie first entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and has spent his early professional career moving between teams while continuing to develop at the safety position.
Born and raised in Northern California, Hailassie built his path to professional football through a combination of high school preparation and college experience at two Football Bowl Subdivision programs. He has spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Minnesota Vikings, demonstrating the persistence required to remain active in the league.
Early Life and Background
Kahlef Hailassie was born on November 9, 2000, in Elk Grove, California. He grew up in the Sacramento-area community and attended Cosumnes Oaks High School, where he developed as a football player. His size and athletic profile, listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 188 pounds, helped him project as a college defensive back prospect.
Coming out of high school, Hailassie attracted attention from college recruiters and ultimately accepted an opportunity to play at the University of Oregon. His time in California and the recruiting process gave him early exposure to high-level football and prepared him for the demands of competing at the Pac-12 level.
Path to American Football
Hailassie began his college career with the Oregon Ducks, where he played during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Oregon’s program is one of the most visible in college football, and his time there gave him experience competing against top-tier offensive talent on a weekly basis.
After his time at Oregon, Hailassie transferred and continued his career with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, playing for them during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. As a senior in 2022, he earned recognition as a second-team all-conference selection, an honor that highlighted his performance at the safety position. Following that season, he declared for the NFL Draft process and signed his first professional contract in 2023.
Kahlef Hailassie Career
Early Career (2023)
Hailassie’s professional career began on May 6, 2023, when the Kansas City Chiefs signed him to a three-year, $2.705 million contract as an undrafted free agent. The agreement reflected the Chiefs’ interest in his potential as a young defensive back with starting experience at Western Kentucky.
His initial stay in Kansas City was short. Hailassie was waived at the Chiefs’ final roster cuts on August 29, 2023. The following day, August 30, 2023, the Cleveland Browns claimed him off waivers, beginning the next chapter of his professional journey.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2023)
Kahlef Hailassie’s tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs represented his entry point into the NFL. As an undrafted free agent, he signed a multi-year contract that provided financial security while he attempted to earn a roster spot. The Chiefs organization has a reputation for developing young defensive backs, and Hailassie’s signing placed him within a competitive depth chart at the safety position.
Despite the opportunity, Hailassie did not survive the final roster cuts and was waived in late August 2023. The brief Chiefs stint nonetheless marked the formal beginning of his professional football career and set the stage for his transition to Cleveland.
Cleveland Browns Era (2023–2024)
Hailassie joined the Cleveland Browns after being claimed off waivers in August 2023. He spent time working within the Browns’ defensive system, continuing to refine his technique as an NFL safety. His role with the team included both active-roster and practice-squad duty.
On October 26, 2024, the Browns waived Hailassie and then re-signed him to their practice squad. The move allowed Cleveland to retain his rights and continue his development while adjusting the active roster. The Browns stint provided him with extended exposure to an NFL defensive environment.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2025)
On January 16, 2025, Hailassie signed a reserve/future contract with the Minnesota Vikings, positioning him for the upcoming season. The deal represented an opportunity to compete for a roster spot within the Vikings’ secondary group.
As part of the Vikings’ final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, Hailassie was waived. He was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day, allowing him to remain within the organization and continue preparing for an opportunity to return to the active roster.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2025)
On September 17, 2025, Hailassie was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars from the Vikings’ practice squad to their active roster. The signing followed the release of defensive back Darnell Savage, which opened a roster spot that the Jaguars filled with Hailassie.
His time in Jacksonville was brief, and he was waived by the Jaguars on November 17, 2025. The experience gave him additional active-roster exposure at the NFL level.
Minnesota Vikings Second Stint (2025)
On November 26, 2025, Hailassie returned to the Minnesota Vikings when he was signed to the team’s practice squad. His return reunited him with the organization he had previously signed a reserve/future contract with earlier in the year.
The reunion provided Hailassie with another chance to compete for a larger role within the Vikings’ defensive structure. He continues to work within the NFL framework as he builds his professional résumé.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 1 inch and approximately 188 pounds, Hailassie brings an athletic frame to the safety position. His college experience at Oregon and Western Kentucky exposed him to multiple defensive schemes, giving him a foundation in both zone and man coverage concepts. His all-conference recognition as a senior in 2022 reflected the consistency of his performance during his final college season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hailassie’s career includes several notable transactions that highlight the journeyman path many undrafted free agents follow in the NFL. Signing his first professional contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 marked a significant milestone, as did his multiple transitions between active rosters and practice squads across several organizations. Earning second-team all-conference honors at Western Kentucky in 2022 stands as a clear on-field achievement from his college career.
Kahlef Hailassie Career Wins
As a defensive back, Kahlef Hailassie’s on-field production is measured through coverage assignments and tackles rather than traditional win totals. His career is still in its early stages, and verifiable individual win statistics are not yet established in available records. His professional journey reflects a series of roster moves and practice-squad appointments as he works to establish a permanent place in the league.
Western Kentucky Highlights
During his time with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers from 2021 to 2022, Hailassie served as a starting safety and earned second-team all-conference recognition as a senior in 2022. The honor reflected his contributions to the Hilltoppers’ defense and marked his most significant individual college achievement.
Other Wins & Performances
Hailassie’s time at Oregon from 2018 to 2019 provided him with two seasons of experience within the Pac-12 Conference. While individual statistical highlights from that period are not extensively documented, the opportunity to compete at a Power Five program remains a notable part of his athletic development.
Kahlef Hailassie Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Kahlef Hailassie’s family background is limited. He grew up in Elk Grove, California, and attended Cosumnes Oaks High School. Further details about his parents and immediate family are not documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Kahlef Hailassie has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye. He is not publicly known to be married and does not have widely reported personal relationships. His focus since 2023 has been on building his professional football career across multiple NFL organizations.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transitions for Kahlef Hailassie. He began the year with a reserve/future contract from the Minnesota Vikings after signing in January 2025. He was waived during the Vikings’ final roster cuts on August 26 and re-signed to their practice squad the next day.
Hailassie then moved to the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 17, 2025, joining the active roster following the release of Darnell Savage. His time in Jacksonville lasted until November 17, 2025, when he was waived by the team.
On November 26, 2025, Hailassie returned to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, continuing his 2025 campaign with the same organization he began the year with. The season reflects his ongoing effort to secure a stable role in the NFL.