Rutgers Names Kaliakmanis Starting Quarterback

Rutgers is all in on transfer quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis as the program's new starting quarterback.

The news broke late Wednesday by NJ.com that the Scarlet Knights opted to name Kaliakmanis the starter just days after the former Minnesota Golden Gopher tossed a pair of touchdowns in the Scarlet-White spring game.

As a result, incumbent starter Gavin Wimsatt is reportedly heading to the transfer portal, ending a three-year tenure with Rutgers that was highlighted by a victory in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl last December.

According to Pete Thamel, Wimsatt will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Wimsatt was a top-300 recruit out of Kentucky when Greg Schiano brought him aboard back in 2021. After serving as a spot starter in his first two seasons, Wimsatt was the full-time starter last season. In 13 games he completed just 47 percent of his passes, and threw nine touchdowns to eight interceptions. Rutgers was last in passing offense in the Big Ten last season.

Wimsatt's greatest strength was the ability to use his legs to his advantage. He ran for over 700 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on the run. His ability to move in the pocket, combined with the ground-and-pound style of running back Kyle Monangai, made Rutgers a dangerous unit.

WHO IS ATHAN KALIAKMANIS?

Rutgers is pinning its hopes in the former Minnesota transfer, who brings a big arm to campus.

That arm was on display in the Scarlet-White game last Saturday as he completed 10-of-17 passes for 147 yards and two scores.

Kaliakmanis is also no stranger to the offense Rutgers runs under Offensive Coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, having served as Minnesota's O.C. back in 2022.

Over his two-year career, Kaliakmanis has completed 54 percent of his passes, while tossing 17 touchdowns. Last year, he threw 14 TD's to 9 interceptions with Minnesota. Kaliakmanis is 8-9 all-time as a starter.

The season starts August 31 against Howard.

MORE RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS

The Rutgers football team is officially back in action and in the public eye after the annual Scarlet-White game! The annual game comes at the end of 15 practice sessions and sees the Rutgers Scarlet Knights broken into two scrimmage teams, the Scarlet and the White. At the end of the day the Scarlet defeated the White, 30-24. Hopefully the Scarlet Knights can keep up the winning streak in the 2024-2025 season!

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