Rutgers names transfer Athan Kaliakmanis starting quarterback

Rutgers named Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis the starting quarterback after spring practice, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Incumbent starter Gavin Wimsatt was the leader in the clubhouse going in after the last couple of seasons. However, Rutgers and head coach Greg Schiano went in a different direction for 2024.

“Sources: Rutgers has named Minnesota transfer QB Athan Kaliakmanis the starting quarterback,” Thamel wrote on Twitter. “Rutgers QB Gavin Wimsatt, who started 18 games the last two years, has initiated the process of entering the transfer portal and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

“Kaliakmanis transferred to Rutgers in January from Minnesota, where he was recruited by and played for current Rutgers OC Kirk Ciarrocca. He’s started 17 games the last two years for the Gophers and has 2,784 throwing yards and 17 touchdowns.”

As a member of the Class of 2021, Kaliakmanis was a four-star recruit out of Antioch (Ill.) Community, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 23 quarterback in the class and the No. 237 overall prospect in the class.

“When I finally make the announcement of who it is, everyone will know, but until then, it’ll just be what it is: a competition,” Schiano said following Saturday’s spring game, via NJ Advance Media. “I like all four of our quarterbacks. I think they’re all, in their own way, improving. It’s just gonna be a matter of making a decision of who gives us the best chance to win. The who, when, I don’t know. I’ll let you know soon as I know. Actually, that’s not true. I’ll let you know when I do.”

Not only that, his brother Dino Kaliakmanis, a wide receiver, also committed to Rutgers with him this winter.

Wimsatt saw improvements in 2023, but still struggled with accuracy and consistency.

Still, he led Rutgers to a 7-6 record and a win over Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl. But with an open quarterback competition this spring, Kaliakmanis emerged as the victor.

Kaliakmanis, redshirt freshman Ajani Sheppard and true freshman AJ Surace are the three scholarship quarterbacks entering the 2024 season.