The first Gophers football player to decide to leave the program this winter is a big one.

Starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis said Tuesday he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Kaliakmanis’ decision comes a day after the U offered a scholarship to New Hampshire graduate transfer QB Max Brosmer in the portal on Monday.

Kaliakmanis’ message on social media said his choice comes “after several days of discussion with my family.”

A Pioneer Press source reiterated that head coach P.J. Fleck appreciated what Kaliakmanis brought to the Gophers. At some point in the last few days, Fleck met with the quarterback position group and he could not fully commit or guarantee who the starting quarterback would be in the 2024 season, and that the program would entertain quarterback competition via the portal for next fall.

In his first full season as a starter at the U, Kaliakmanis completed only 53 percent of his passes (156 for 294) for 1,838 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions in all 12 games. Kaliakmanis’ passer rating (115.17) is 100th in the nation this season, and his completion percentage (53) is outside the top 100.

Kaliakmanis, who has two years of eligibility remaining, added in his message: “Thank you to the Minnesota coaching staff who believed in me before I ever stepped foot on this campus. I cannot fully express my gratitude to you. To all the Gopher fans, I am so thankful to have been a part of this University and this incredible, passionate community. … 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 man for the last three years.”

Every other team in the Big Ten West Division used at least one QB in the transfer portal last season. Fleck and the Gophers are changing with the times.

The Gophers quarterback depth is young. The U did not add a quarterback the year after Kaliakmanis committed to the U in the 2021 class.

Backup quarterback Cole Kramer participated in Senior Day against Wisconsin on Saturday and appears to be leaving the U with one year of eligibility remaining. Third-stringer is true freshman Drew Viotto, with walk-on Max Shikenjanski as the fourth-stringer. Drake Lindsey is the QB pledge in the 2024 recruiting class.

Related Articles

John Shipley: It’s almost December, time to defend Gophers’ P.J. Fleck — again

With Athan Kaliakmanis ‘inconsistent,’ Gophers look for QB in portal

Men’s basketball: Gophers’ turnovers cost them in blowout loss to San Francisco

Gophers earn bid to NCAA volleyball tournament, will face Utah State

Men’s hockey: Jimmy Clark ends it in overtime as Gophers outlast Michigan State