Heir Apparent
Athan Kaliakmanis is the heir apparent to Tanner Morgan as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Gophers. The 4-star recruit from Antioch, Illinois, will be the clear-cut starter heading into fall camp and is projected to be a top-five Big Ten QB this season. Throwing for 3,000 yards in a season would put Kaliakmanis in an exclusive club, with Morgan, as the only Minnesota Gopher members. If Kaliakmanis stays healthy, there are four reasons why Kaliakmanis can throw for over 3,000 yards in 2023.
A Running Legacy
Kaliakmanis doesn’t exactly have history on his side to throw for 3,000 yards, as head coach PJ Fleck has relied heavily on running backs, mostly recently with star Mo Ibrahim in the backfield. Last season, the Gophers ranked 128th (out of 131), with a pass-play percentage of 33.96%. Only Army, Navy, and Air Force ranked lower. Minnesota quarterbacks combined for an average of 21.3 passes per game, ranking them #127 in FBS. Gopher quarterbacks combined for a less-than-elite 2,369 yards passing in 2022. For context, last season 38 FBS quarterbacks passed for over 3,000 yards, including Austin Reed from Western Kentucky, who led all passers with 4,746 yards.
Although Kaliakmanis has the tools and size to be a successful quarterback in the Big Ten, last season, he didn’t produce eye-popping stats as a late-season injury replacement for Morgan. He completed 54% of his passes for three touchdowns and four interceptions on the season, which was an underwhelming stat line at best.
Here’s a look at the top 10 all-time Minnesota Gopher passing seasons:
- Tanner Morgan 3,253 (2019)
- Adam Weber 2,895 (2007)
- Bryan Cupito 2,819 (2006)
- Adam Weber 2,761 (2008)
- Mitch Leidner 2,701 (2015)
- Adam Weber 2,679 (2010)
- Cory Sauter 2,600 (1995)
- Adam Weber 2,582 (2009)
- Cory Sauter 2,578 (1996)
- Bryan Cupito 2,530 (2005)
Four Reasons Why Kaliakmanis Can Throw for Over 3,000 Yards
Despite the historical challenges of throwing 3,000 yards, there is plenty of evidence to support an elite statistical performance from the Greek Rifle.
1. More Playmakers, More Passing Yards
In January, Fleck announced that Gophers’ tight ends coach, Greg Harbaugh Jr., would be the new co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Harbaugh joins Matt Simon as the co-offensive coordinator, and together, they’ll lead the offensive unit. Harbaugh and Simon have stated their commitment to a more balanced offensive approach, with the goal of getting all of their playmakers the ball. A more balanced run/pass offense will result in more passing attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns this season.
The Gophers have more receiving depth this season, with the addition of transfers Corey Crooms and Elijah Spencer, the development of Daniel Jackson, and the return of Chris Autman-Bell. The biggest potential playmaker is tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford, who had his best season in 2022 and is looking to solidify himself as a top tight end in the country. The Gopher offense won’t focus on a clear #1 target, like Tyler Johnson or Rashod Bateman, making defensive match-ups more challenging for opponents.
2. Unproven Running Backs
The Gophers will enter fall camp without bell cow running back Mo Ibrahim on the roster, so the team will likely rely on a running back-by-committee approach to start the season. Grad transfer Sean Tyler will likely start the season, but redshirt freshman Zach Evans, veteran Bryce Williams, and true freshman Darius Taylor will get snaps too. Last season, the Gophers relied heavily on Ibrahim, who carried the ball 20+ in ten games, including five games in a row with 30+ carries. The Gophers don’t have a proven back to carry the load and will rely on Kaliakmanis’ arm more than they did with Morgan in the past. This will translate to more passing attempts and yards in the upcoming season.
The Gophers will also miss John Michael Schmitz, who has moved on to anchor the offensive line for the New York Giants. Lakeville native Nathan Boe replaces Schmitz, who was an All-American, All-Big Ten, and all everything last season. While Boe is a veteran, the Gophers might be less likely to focus on inside zone run plays, especially with an inexperienced backfield. Kaliakmanis is poised to attempt significantly more passes in 2023 than in 2022 due to the change in offensive personnel.
3. Playing from Behind
The Gophers have a tough schedule this season. And (gasp!) they could be playing from behind, especially in the second half of the season. The Gophers open the season at home against an improved Nebraska team, play a tough non-conference game against North Carolina, and face Michigan and Ohio State in the two cross-over games. When the Gophers played a weaker schedule, like in 2022, they could afford to run the ball with Ibrahim and grind out the clock. The Gophers are more likely to play from behind this season, so they’ll be more apt to throw the ball. This will result in significantly more passing attempts by Kaliakmanis .
Here is the Minnesota Gopher 2023 game schedule:
- Week 1: Aug. 31 vs. Nebraska
- Week 2: Sept. 9 vs. Eastern Michigan
- Week 3: Sept. 16 @ North Carolina
- Week 4: Sept. 23 @ Northwestern
- Week 5: Sept. 30 vs. Louisiana
- Week 6: Oct. 7 vs. Michigan
- Week 7: Bye
- Week 8: Oct. 21 at Iowa
- Week 9: Oct. 28 vs. Michigan State
- Week 10: Nov. 4 vs. Illinois
- Week 11: Nov. 11 at Purdue
- Week 12: Nov. 18 at Ohio State
- Week 13: Nov. 25 vs. Wisconsin
4. Kaliakmanis’ High Ceiling
One of the main reasons Kaliakmanis will throw for 3,000 yards this season is that he’s an elite quarterback. He’s a four-star high school prospect and the highest-ranked Gopher quarterback in the Fleck era. No disrespect to Morgan, but his arm strength, size, and swagger are on a different level than any recent Gopher signal-callers. Kaliagmanis is young and inexperienced and will undoubtedly make questionable throws, but he has a tremendous upside and the ability to throw for over 3,000 yards this season. If he stays healthy, the Gopher quarterback is primed for one of the best seasons in school history.
Photo courtesy: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
