Gophers QB Athan Kaliakmanis announces he will enter transfer portal
Gophers QB Athan Kaliakmanis announced Tuesday his intention to enter the transfer portal after three seasons in Minnesota.
"After several days of discussion with my family, I am announcing my intention to enter the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility left," Kaliakmanis said in a post on Twitter.
The redshirt sophomore struggled at times throughout the the 2023 season, his first as the full-time starter of the Gophers. Kaliakmanis threw for 1,838 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions for the 5-7 Gophers this season.
Kaliakmanis was the 26th ranked QB in the stacked 2021 recruiting class that now features a number of highly sought after quarterbacks set to enter the upcoming draft. The Antioch, Illinois native was a four-star recruit, according to 247Sports.
"Thank you to the Minnesota coaching staff who believed in me before I ever stepped foot on this campus," said Kaliakmanis. "To all the Gopher fans, I am so thankful to have been a part of this University and this incredible, passionate community, where all of you welcomed me with open arms and open hearts. Minnesota will always be an important place in my life and one that I believe has helped me grow immensely both as a player and a man for the last three years."
Thank you Minnesota ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MK2CsxGYYE
— Athan Kaliakmanis (@aajk_23) November 28, 2023
Freshman quarterback Drew Viotto also announced that he'll entering the transfer portal.
The announcements come just a day after it was reported the Gophers had made an offer to transferring New Hampshire quarterback Max Brosmer, the leading passer in the FCS.
Speaking ahead of the team's loss to Wisconsin, Gophers head coach PJ Fleck noted the improvement he has seen in the young-QB this season but also the need to make a "huge jump."
"I think he's better in a lot of areas. I think he's gotta continue to get better in a lot of areas. I think there's some areas that he's been maintained where it's gotta make a huge jump, but I wouldn't sit there and say well, 'OK he's gotten worse in this.' I think everything has gotten maintained or better," Fleck said.
"Now the level of that can be argued, but that's our job is to be able to make that better on a daily basis. His commitment level, his maturity, his preparation, his leadership has all gotten better. Some guys get it quicker, some guys take a little longer. Whatever it is, time is your friend and your enemy at the same time, especially when you're talking in season. But I've seen tremendous growth from him."
