Athan Kaliakmanis

NFL Draft Profile: Athan Kaliakmanis

Position: Quarterback | School: Rutgers (via Minnesota) | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 212 lbs | Archetype: Rhythm-Based Pocket Passer / Game Manager

College Career Summary

Athan Kaliakmanis, often nicknamed "The Greek Rifle," enters the 2026 NFL Draft process as one of the most improved players in the Big Ten. After starting his career at Minnesota, where he struggled with consistency, he transferred to Rutgers to reunite with offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. The move proved transformative for both the player and the program.

His 2025 season was a statistical milestone for the Scarlet Knights. Kaliakmanis became only the third quarterback in Rutgers history to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a single season. His senior year was defined by a massive leap in accuracy, improving his completion percentage by nearly 9% over his 2024 campaign. He capped off his collegiate career by declaring for the NFL draft on December 26, 2025, and accepting an invitation to the 2026 Hula Bowl.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Passing Yards: 3,124

• Completion %: 62.2%

• Passing TDs: 20

• Interceptions: 7

• Passer Rating: 147.7

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Cmp/Att, Yds, TD/INT)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Howard	15/24, 147 Yds, 3 TD/0 INT	B+	Efficient debut; dominated the red zone with surgical precision.
4	@ Virginia Tech	16/25, 269 Yds, 0 TD/0 INT	B	Solid road performance; managed the game flow effectively.
7	vs Wisconsin	16/32, 103 Yds, 0 TD/1 INT	C-	Season Low. Struggled with accuracy against high-pressure shells.
9	vs Purdue	19/27, 359 Yds, 1 TD/0 INT	A+	The Peak. Career-long 72-yard pass; elite vertical accuracy.
10	vs Illinois	25/45, 253 Yds, 1 TD/0 INT	C+	High volume but lacked efficiency; took several late-game sacks.
12	vs Penn State	16/22, 338 Yds, 3 TD/0 INT	A+	The Finale. Accounted for 4 total TDs in a massive career finish.

NFL Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Processing & IQ: Kaliakmanis is a "student of the game" who excels at pre-snap diagnosis. He rarely targets the wrong read and has a high "check-mate" success rate against zone coverage.

• Pro-Ready Accuracy: His jump to 62.2% completion in a high-volume Big Ten offense shows he can deliver the ball with timing and anticipation.

• Toughness and Poise: He is a two-time team captain who earns praise for standing in the pocket against heavy pressure and delivering the ball on time.

• Red Zone Efficiency: He is exceptionally reliable inside the 20, evidenced by his 13:2 TD-to-INT ratio in red zone situations in 2025.

Weaknesses

• Average Athleticism: While he can escape the initial rush, he is not a consistent threat with his legs and finished 2025 with negative rushing yardage due to sacks.

• Arm Strength Ceiling: He lacks a "cannon." He struggles to "zip" the ball into narrow windows on long out-routes, relying more on touch than velocity.

• Consistency Concerns: Despite a great senior year, his previous three seasons showed significant struggles with accuracy and vision. Teams will wonder which version they are getting.

• Height Concerns: At 6'3", he is pro-standard, but his lean frame may need more bulk to handle a 17-game NFL season.

Scheme Fit

• Primary Fit: West Coast / Rhythm Passing. He is a hand-in-glove fit for systems that value high-percentage completions and a "distributor" mentality, such as the San Francisco 49ers or Minnesota Vikings.

Scout's Final Word

"Athan Kaliakmanis is the quintessential 'safe' backup prospect. He won't wow you with elite speed or a rocket arm, but he is a leader who won't lose you the game. His 2025 tape at Rutgers proved he can lead a 3,000-yard passing attack in a major conference. He currently projects as a Round 6–7 'System' prospect who could carve out a long career as a reliable NFL backup."