The Denver Broncos have a room full of quarterbacks, but that didn’t stop them from meeting with a prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team held a Zoom meeting with Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, led by Broncos quarterbacks coach Logan Kilgore. Here’s more information on Kaliakmanis, as the draft is less than a month away. 

Broncos Meet With Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis

Antioch Community High School (Antioch, Illinois) — Class of 2021

Kaliakmanis is from Antioch, Illinois, and played high school football at Antioch Community High School, where he earned the 2021 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns in his senior season. 

The quarterback who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 212 pounds was a four-star recruit according to 247sports and ESPN, earning 12 offers while also rushing for 245 yards and four rushing touchdowns in his final high school season. 

Minnesota (2021-2023)

Kaliakmanis ultimately chose to commit and play college football for Minnesota, where he didn’t initially see game action after redshirting as a freshman. 

In his next two seasons with the Golden Gophers, Kaliakmanis saw much more playing time, playing in 23 total games and starting 17. With Minnesota, Kaliakmanis was 8-9 as a starter. 

Kaliakmanis threw for 2,784 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 234 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns during his time in Minneapolis. 

Rutgers (2024-2025)

At the beginning of January 2024, Kaliakmanis decided to transfer to Rutgers alongside his brother, Dino Kaliakmanis, a wide receiver who had also transferred from Minnesota. 

In his final two collegiate seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Kaliakmanis played and started in 25 games, finishing his career with a 12-13 record while continuing to improve, throwing for 5,820 yards and 38 touchdowns. 

Kaliakmanis also rushed for 254 yards and contributed five rushing touchdowns. If the Broncos have any doubts about Bo Nix’s backups, Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger, it wouldn’t hurt for them to draft a quarterback late or sign one as an undrafted free agent. 

If Kaliakmanis does end up in Denver, the Broncos’ offensive staff could use him as a potential practice squad quarterback or perhaps as a third-string quarterback, depending on who will earn the second-string role behind Nix and whether Stidham or Ehlinger struggles.

Main Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images