The Washington Commanders added depth to their quarterback room by taking Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. Here's how social media reacted to the news.
Athan Kaliakmanis is headed to Washington 😎 @aajk_23 | @Commanders pic.twitter.com/WSXCLKUtln
— Rutgers Football 🪓 (@RFootball) April 25, 2026
The Commanders took former Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis at No. 223 overall.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2026
“He’s almost like a lesser Mendoza where if everything’s clean and he can just click through a progression, he’s got a good arm, he’s got good accuracy, he’s got good mechanics.”https://t.co/OgfkCBGSvX
Athan Kaliakmanis was just drafted by the Washington.
— Jim Moberg 🇺🇦 (@b757fo_jim) April 25, 2026
Congratulations to this former Gopher!!
Also makes me wonder, as I like @Drakelindsey5 ‘s prospects even more…
Commanders make their last selection in the 2026 draft the QB they spent a lot of time with during the process getting to know
— Commandalorian (@Commandalore) April 25, 2026
Athan Kaliakmanis is going to push for the backup role immediately
Very accurate and has real arm talent#RaiseHail | #HTTC https://t.co/G35IGdG8SD
ATHAN KALIAKMANIS MY DEMON😭
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) April 25, 2026
Commanders take care of him pic.twitter.com/JlWxHUFNfz
Not going to be a popular pick, but Athan Kaliakmanis has some of the most powerful and raw functional arm talent in this quarterback class. He can be a high end developmental QB who they can trade long term or have as a quality backup. This is insane value at round 7. pic.twitter.com/yEbwbbdu5R
— FNF NFL (@fnfantasyleeg) April 25, 2026
223. #Commanders select QB Athan Kaliakmanis. out of Rutgers, developmental QB out of Rutgers, 6'2, 216 lbs. average size & frame, average arm talent, accuracy & decision making #NFLDraft
— Paul Perdichizzi (@paulie23ny) April 25, 2026
The Commanders drafted Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis. He went 16-for-25 for 269 yards against the #Hokies in 2024 in a 26-23 Scarlet Knights win. https://t.co/Dold8MXXdB
— Thomas Hughes (@thomashughes_05) April 25, 2026
Holy crap, welcome to the NFL ATHAN KALIAKMANIS, QB outta Rutgers!
— Ian Sallee 🏈 🇺🇸 🧀 (@Cheesehead39) April 25, 2026
I’ve watched a TON of Athan Kaliakmanis.
— Brady Balhorn - BNB Football (@BnbFootball) April 25, 2026
Took a big step forward this year with better mechanics, but even before that he flashed like crazy, was just a hair off.
Interesting late round bet for Washington! pic.twitter.com/o4nIwz863H
Athan Kaliakmanis becomes the first Rutgers QB drafted since Mike Teel in 2008. https://t.co/Jz6QCQTbN9
— Nick Whyman (@NickWhyman) April 25, 2026
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOO commanders make a great pick at 223 with Athan Kaliakmanis
— Ninjallama (@Ninjallamma2412) April 25, 2026











