Rutgers QB Gavin Wimsatt to plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported the news.

This comes on the heels of the Scarlet Knights naming Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis the starting quarterback after spring practice. Wimsatt’s departure leaves Rutgers with three scholarship quarterbacks: Kaliakmanis, redshirt freshman Ajani Sheppard and true freshman AJ Surace.

Over the course of three seasons, Wimsatt had 2,537 yards, 14 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, a 47.8% completion percentage, 628 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

Wimsatt struggled with accuracy throughout his career but had a positive touchdown-interception ratio on 2023, the first of his career. He also unlocked his dual threat ability under offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarocca.

Out of his 628 rushing yards, he ran for 497 last season and scored all 11 of his career touchdowns on the ground last year. As the starter, Wimsatt led Rutgers to a 7-6 record and a victory over Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl last winter.

Despite that, Kaliakmanis came in as a transfer and the battle was on.

“(The coaching staff does) a good job of just evaluating and keeping (where the quarterback battle is leaning) between themselves,” Wimsatt said after the spring game, via NJ Advance Media. “I think me and Athan do a good job of not getting too caught up in that. We’re competing, we’re gonna compete, but just picking each other’s brains and not letting it affect us off the field. (Athan is) a great guy, he’s lifted up our room a really good amount with his experiences.”

As a member of the Class of 2021, Wimsatt was a four-star recruit out of Owensboro (Ken.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 27 quarterback in the class and the No. 268 overall prospect in the class.

Wimsatt was the highest ranked quarterback recruit in Rutgers history when he committed. He enrolled early skipped his senior year of high school on an NIL deal.

He did that the same season Quinn Ewers enrolled at Ohio State for his first year of college football, before his eventual transfer to Texas.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.