LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders are not just looking for a new face of the franchise; they are building an entire room. Fresh off the release of veteran Geno Smith on March 6, the Raiders hosted Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis for a formal visit this week. While the football world expects Vegas to use the No. 1 overall pick on Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, the interest in Kaliakmanis suggests GM Tom Telesco wants a complete reset at the game’s most important position.
Kaliakmanis is coming off a massive senior campaign in Piscataway. He shredded defenses to the tune of 3,124 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2025. Perhaps most impressively, the 22-year-old showed elite care for the football, tossing just seven interceptions while adding four scores on the ground. He isn’t just a statue in the pocket; he proved he can move when the protection breaks down.
The Raiders current depth chart is lean. With Smith gone and only Aidan O’Connell—the 2023 fourth-round pick—remaining as a primary option, there is a clear vacancy for a developmental third arm. Kaliakmanis fits the mold of a high-ceiling backup who can push for a roster spot during training camp in Henderson. His 62.2 percent completion rate reflects a level of accuracy that NFL scouts have started to notice as the draft cycle heats up.
“I just want to show these teams that I can lead a huddle and win games at the next level. Meeting with the Raiders was a great experience—you can feel the history and the expectation there. I’m ready to compete wherever I land.”
— Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers Quarterback
The Raiders hold a staggering 10 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which kicks off April 23 in Pittsburgh. While the Mendoza-to-Vegas connection seems written in stone, the team’s multiple selections in rounds 4 and 6 are where a prospect like Kaliakmanis comes into play. If the Raiders want to insulate their future No. 1 pick with a reliable, battle-tested Big Ten starter, they have the capital to pull the trigger on Saturday afternoon.
The coaching staff clearly wants more than just a bridge veteran. They want young, hungry arms who can digest a playbook and provide insurance. Kaliakmanis has the frame and the stats to be that guy. After a 2025 season where he led Rutgers to some of their most competitive outings in years, he’s no longer flying under the radar.
