Athan Kaliakmanis sparks Rutgers’ passing revolution as Scarlet Knights aim for NFL Draft success
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights find themselves in a familiar spot, eyeing yet another mid-tier finish in the Big Ten, with a bowl game likely looming on the horizon. Historically, the Scarlet Knights have struggled against the conference’s elite, often finishing several rungs below the powerhouse teams. As the season progresses, the script seems to follow the same predictable pattern—strong starts to the season followed by the inevitable in-conference losses. Yet, the current iteration of Rutgers football is not quite the same as in years past.
A Shift in Offensive Philosophy
Gone are the days of a purely ground-and-pound approach. This year, the Scarlet Knights have introduced a dynamic passing game led by quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, marking a significant evolution in their offensive strategy. While the gap between Rutgers and the titans of the conference, like those found in Happy Valley, Eugene, and Columbus, remains considerable, this newfound aerial threat could reshape the Knights’ prospects for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Kaliakmanis and Strong Generate Day 3 Buzz
It has been over a decade since the Scarlet Knights saw a quarterback selected in the NFL Draft—specifically, since Greg Schiano’s earlier tenure when Mike Teel was chosen in the sixth round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2009. However, Athan Kaliakmanis appears poised to change that narrative. Following a rocky junior season in which he completed only 53.9% of his passes, Kaliakmanis has displayed significant improvement in his second year with the program.
Through the first four games of the season, he has averaged over nine yards per attempt, throwing seven touchdown passes and rushing for two, all while limiting himself to just one interception. Although Rutgers faced a setback in Week 4 against Iowa, their passing offense has continued to flourish in conference play, showcasing a level of skill previously unseen in Piscataway.
Flashing NFL-Level Traits
Kaliakmanis has demonstrated multiple traits that could catch the attention of NFL scouts. On the opening drive against Iowa, he executed a perfectly placed corner route, threading the needle just before the flat defender could close in. Throughout the game, he consistently tested defensive backs, stretching the field with precise throws into one-on-one matchups.
His confidence and accuracy were evident, particularly in the middle of the field, where he exhibited impressive anticipation. The mechanics of his quick release remained sharp, and he effectively avoided turnovers, even when faced with pressure.
A New Hope for Rutgers Football
As he continues to develop, Athan Kaliakmanis embodies a new era for Rutgers football—one where the Scarlet Knights are not just another team fighting for a bowl game but are instead a program that could produce NFL talent. With his growing reputation, Kaliakmanis is not just a quarterback but a potential game-changer for the Scarlet Knights as they seek to rewrite their history on the NFL Draft stage.
