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Rutgers reportedly settles on QB decision with one player opting for transfer portal

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Rutgers is reportedly bringing the quarterback battle to a conclusion coming out of spring practices.

Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Greg Schiano’s program is prepared to move forward with Athan Kaliakmanis as the starting quarterback. Gavin Wimsatt was the incumbent starter while Kaliakmanis began his career at Minnesota.

Thamel also reported that Wimsatt has begun the process of entering the transfer portal. The sole starter for the Scarlet Knights a season ago, Wimsatt led Rutgers to a 7-6 record with a bowl victory, the first postseason victory and winning record for the program since 2014.

On a deeper level, the move makes sense for Schiano’s program, even if it is a tough spot for Wimsatt. Though he did improve his passing in 2023, Wimsatt still finished below 50% for completions (47.8%) with 9 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. His major effectiveness came as a rusher with 497 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Kaliakmanis completed 53.3% of his passes across the 2022 and 2023 seasons with over 2,700 yards and 17 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. Though less effective as a runner, his passing numbers illustrate an upgrade from Wimsatt, and his connections to Rutgers OC Kirk Ciarrocca must be considered.

Ciarrocca was a member of PJ Fleck’s Minnesota staff that originally recruited Kaliakmanis to the Golden Gophers, and Ciarrocca returned to be the OC for Minnesota when Kaliakmanis saw action in the 2022 season. Now, the 2 will reunite with the Scarlet Knights returning 15 starters and the potential to be a team on the rise for 2024.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.