The father of Athan Kaliakmanis declined to comment to the Pioneer Press on Tuesday about the Gophers quarterback’s decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

On Wednesday morning, Athan’s father, Alex Kaliakmanis, spoke out — soft of.

“Trying very hard not to comment on a program that our family decided to cut ties with,” Alex wrote on X. “But want to set the record straight and will start with this. Competition with a mythical inbound QB was absolutely not a factor in entering the transfer portal.”

A source told the Pioneer Press on Monday that head coach P.J. Fleck met with the quarterbacks since the regular season finale loss to Wisconsin and would not commit to a starting quarterback for the 2024 season and shared the program would look for competition via the transfer portal.

The Gophers started that pursuit with a scholarship offer to New Hampshire graduate transfer QB Max Brosmer on Monday.

Alex Kaliakmanis did not immediately respond to a request for further comment on Wednesday afternoon.

Two to second team

Gophers left tackle Aireontae Ersery and wide receiver Daniel Jackson were named to the all-Big Ten second team on Wednesday.

Ersery allowed just three sacks and 13 total pressures across 343 pass-rush snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus College. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound native of Kansas City, Mo., played 779 snaps across all 12 games this season. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Jackson led the Gophers and was within the top four in the Big Ten in receptions (57), receiving yards (831) and touchdowns (8) this season. The Kansas City, Kansas native has one year of eligibility remaining.

The Gophers had four offensive players receive honorable mention: tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford, running back Darius Taylor and offensive linemen Quinn Carroll and Nathan Boe.

Briefly

Walk-on placekicker Jacob Lewis said he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal. He played two seasons at Ball State before coming to Minnesota, where he didn’t attempt a kick.

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