In a deep defensive line class, Ashton Gillotte has not received much attention from the national media. However, the Louisville EDGE defender has the tools to become a highly productive player at the next level. Ashton Gillotte is a powerful defender whose scouting report shows the ability to affect the passer in a variety of ways.
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Overview, Film Analysis, and 2025 Scouting Report of Louisville EDGE Ashton Gillotte
Measurables
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 264 lbs
Player Background
Ashton Gillotte attended Boca Raton High School in southern Florida. He was a multi-sport athlete, competing in weight lifting, track and field, and football. He played both defensive end and tight end, and he helped Boca Raton reach a state championship game. Gillotte was rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports. He received offers from Duke and Florida Atlantic, among others, but committed to play for Louisville.
In his four years at Louisville, Gillotte was a consistent contributor. He played over 300 snaps in each season, producing 23 total sacks in his collegiate career. As a junior, Gillotte had nine sacks and was named a first-team All-ACC player. He played 50 total games for Louisville.
Strengths
When rushing the passer, Ashton Gillotte shows good footwork. He appears to consistently have a plan of attack. Gillotte’s power is his primary weapon. He is able to drive tackles back into the quarterback. Even when blockers engage, he pushes the pocket and forces quarterbacks to escape. Gillotte has a productive inside-out move and a powerful rip move. He has a good spin move that he often uses to disengage from blocks. His athletic testing shows the ability to be explosive off the edge.
Gillotte is a consistent tackler. When he gets his hands on the ball carrier, he almost always brings them down. According to PFF, Gillotte only missed 11.9% of his attempted tackles in 2024. That’s one of the best numbers of any EDGE defender in this draft class. Gillotte is scheme versatile, able to play as a defensive end in 4-3 and 3-4 schemes. Louisville deployed him primarily on the edge, but he occasionally moved inside.
Weaknesses
Gillotte does not show elite burst off of the line of scrimmage. He often sits back in his stance before the snap, leading to a slow first step. When defending the run, Gillotte shows some mental lapses. He occasionally loses contain on outside runs or guesses incorrectly on option runs. He sometimes gives up on plays to the opposite side of the field. Gillotte has below-average arm length and hand size, which can allow blockers to engage quickly.
Potential Team Fits
NFL Projection
Ashton Gillotte is an immensely powerful defender with the tools to become a productive pass rusher in the NFL. While his hand size and arm length are concerning, his ability to push the pocket consistently makes him a valuable draft prospect. In the right scheme, Gillotte can be an immediate contributor with the potential to develop into a solid starter. Ashton Gillotte projects as a third-round talent in a draft class full of quality defensive players.
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