David Pollack Names Major College Football WR Who No One is Talking About

[Tango Two]

"This dude is an absolute freak show," Pollack said. ".... Not good quarterback play. Not an offense that sets the world on fire by any stretch of the imagination... He led the nation with 22 contested catches a year ago... I know he was one of three dudes in the Big Ten to go over 1,000 yards with Makai Lemon and Jeremiah Smith. But no one talks about this dude. This dude will be a first-round pick."

David Pollack Names Big Ten WR Who No One is Talking About

David Pollack feels this Big Ten wide receiver will be a household name in 2026.

www.si.com

 

[LOU-RU85]

The bashing of our 7th round QB was a littte much though.

 

[Kbe4]

How hard it has to be for a Rutgers guy to gain such recognition.......well-deserved though it is.

 

[Rutgers Chris]

The bashing of our 7th round QB was a littte much though.

For real. They mention Makai Lemon as a recent comp. Athan had very similar overall numbers with a higher PFF passer score than Lemon’s qb last year.

 

[RUGuitarMan1]

He is not wrong in his analysis if you are talking about legitimate playoff contending teams. There is a big overall gap between that and where RU is. Let’s see if the team can even get to a legitimate bowl game with a 1st rd WR and a day 2 NFL RB.

 

[Bueller]

I like AK but Duff and Strong and others got him drafted.
Give him Dremel and Washington and their combined 7 TDs over 11 years and he's a UFA if he's real lucky

 

[RUTGERS95]

I like AK but Duff and Strong and others got him drafted.
Give him Dremel and Washington and their combined 7 TDs over 11 years and he's a UFA if he's real lucky

I don't know about that. Many of his balls were right there and/or put in places only they could get. I think you are underselling AK

 

[Bueller]

I don't know about that. Many of his balls were right there and/or put in places only they could get. I think you are underselling AK

Strong and Duff should have had more stats but that's more due to a HC/OC thing. Duff and strong were both amazing contested receivers (under appreciated by many fans) and thats the skill that make a great WR. Dremel could just just never makes those. Washington once made a good end zone TD under tight coverage. Alas neither of them could have started with the WRs of last 2 years. They just weren't B1G starters. Dremel could only do kicks and of course the RU way was to never attempt returns even though Dremel could do sprints when he had the ball. Its amazing to me that people blame NIL so much when anything offensive is crippled in so many ways.

 

[cubuffsdoug_rivals]

The bashing of our 7th round QB was a littte much though.

That's because these @ssholes already have the mindset that Rutgers sucks. He's more in disbelief that Rutgers actually has someone noteworthy. The article stays true to taking shots at Rutgers while giving a little credit to an individual.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Actually I really disagree with this comment from the article:

That player is Rutgers Scarlett Knights' KJ Duff. The sophomore had 1,084 yards and seven scores last year. This comes despite not having consistent quarterback play.

This "analyst" is an ignorant piece of shít who doesn't do his research:

To Pollack's point, he has the size to be a first-round pick if he has another strong season next year. The issue for him is Rutgers hasn't had the best offenses and hasn't had the best quarterback play to complement a receiver like him.

229/368, 62%, 3124, 20 TD's, 7 INT's, 147.67 rating.

That sounds pretty god dámn good to me!

 

[DJ Spanky]

I like AK but Duff and Strong and others got him drafted.
Give him Dremel and Washington and their combined 7 TDs over 11 years and he's a UFA if he's real lucky

Completely disagree. You think he got the attention he did from NFL teams because of Duff and Strong? BS: those guys really do their research.

 

[Bueller]

Completely disagree. You think he got the attention he did from NFL teams because of Duff and Strong? BS: those guys really do their research.

The record is clear that the NFL teams are not great at drafting and especially QBs. Pacheco wouldn't have been drafted without the sub 4.4. If a team bombs on picks they want to be able to point to stats that support the pick.

Washington liked AK because his downfield passing improved

"Despite completing only 16 more passes last season than his previous year, Kaliakmanis threw for 428 more yards. That's because he became more adept throwing down the field, with 27 completions that traveled at least 20 air yards -- 13 more such completions than in his junior year." https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48595461/commanders-take-qb-athan-kaliakmanis-round-7-nfl-draft

When you have a tall, strong, fluid WR that can use one arm to keep DB away and catch the ball with the other arm while falling down at the same time a QB will get better stats. Washington/Dremel could never do anything like that, QBs like to put the ball where its safe for only their WRs to catch ball. RU had tall WRs that could go up and get a high and contested ball. Sanu was the last RU receiver who could do anything like that. I really don't think a lot of RU fans know just how good a player like Duff is and how much good WRs stress a defense.

Keep in mind having multiple great WRs really stresses a defense and defenders cant stay close to the LOS to stop the run - which in RUs case meant a great RB like Raymond benefitted . Duff, Strong, Raymond were a trio not seen since Rice, Underwood and Britt - and I think Duff is better than all of them (only Sanu can do similar). Teel also got drafted because he had great WRs and run game.

In his best year (2025) AK had 24 combined TDs - Wimsatt had 21 and Mendoza had 48. AK is much closer to Wimsatt than Mendoza. Take away Duff and others and he's not going in the 7th IMO.

Watch Duff's catches close and see how he often uses one arm to keep DBs away while catching with other arm. Its a quite a skill set. Like all good WRs he sees all balls as his and frustrates DB

 

[Caliknight]

The bashing of our 7th round QB was a littte much though.

More of the offense as a whole. It’s pedestrian.

 

[LOU-RU85]

More of the offense as a whole. It’s pedestrian.

That I would agree with but I think AK had a pretty good year and was much more accurate than previous years. The NFL thought so too.

 

[Caliknight]

That I would agree with but I think AK had a pretty good year and was much more accurate than previous years. The NFL thought so too.

He did, but even with an adequate line, an NFL RB, likely two NFL WRs and a QB drafted, we still struggle to score points. That’s simply coaching and philosophy.

 

[DJ Spanky]

That I would agree with but I think AK had a pretty good year and was much more accurate than previous years. The NFL thought so too.

It is amazing, though, that certain people (Bueller? Bueller?) feel the need to tear him down.

 

[Bueller]

It is amazing, though, that certain people (Bueller? Bueller?) feel the need to tear him down.

I'm not "tearing him down." I'm just being realistic. He didn't even get an invite to the combine and didn't participate. He ran a 4.92 40 at Rutgers pro day - 3 "big fatties" ran faster at combine. His stats were on nice side of mediocre and padded by RUs traditionally prolific 20 to to 20 offense that cant score. A guy without an invite was lucky to even be picked 224 (Teel was 178).

NFL Network had this to say:

“His Minnesota tape was not very good. His Rutgers tape in 2024 was just OK, and then I thought he took a step in 2025,” an AFC quarterbacks coach said. “Now, he’s not very athletic. He has to win from the pocket, or he has to improve his pocket mobility and his ability to escape. 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, he can anticipate really well, which you can’t say for everybody. And then you see him do a lot of things that you are going to ask him to do in the NFL. You see enough on that on tape that it makes you optimistic.”



So yeah a 4 year player and 3 year starter, with no combine invite is recognized as having some some decent skills and mediocre stats. Its 100% fair to say he had great WRs and RB who made a big difference for AKs 428 more yards over 2024.

Can he surprise like Pacheco? Sure but he will need a good OL and skill players. Washington liked him personally and because he had good hustle which I saw as well. Fall is a beautiful season and I increasingly I am unwilling to sit home watching dull football year after year (including pros). I like RU players a lot but I dont get romantic about what I see or dont see, That's nothing personal

 

[DJ Spanky]

I'm not "tearing him down." I'm just being realistic.

Of course you're not. Of course you are.

 

[RUbacker]

Of course you're not. Of course you are.

even when we do get a QB drafted some of our fans have to do some gymnastics moves to justify their RU bashing. i think the media does enough of that every time they di an article on RU.

 

[tru2ru1]

even when we do get a QB drafted some of our fans have to do some gymnastics moves to justify their RU bashing. i think the media does enough of that every time they di an article on RU.

What makes anyone think that posters on a free board are actually fans of Rutgers sports teams & not trolls from other teams looking to sh** on RU?

 

[RUbacker]

What makes anyone think that posters on a free board are actually fans of Rutgers sports teams & not trolls from other teams looking to sh** on RU?

there are definitely lots of trolls on the forums that are not fans of RU. they come on every day to troll and stir stufff up with fans. i think we can all name them .

 

[DJ Spanky]

even when we do get a QB drafted some of our fans have to do some gymnastics moves to justify their RU bashing. i think the media does enough of that every time they di an article on RU.

It really is head scratching why people go to such lengths to justify tearing down a successful player.

 

[RUTGERS95]

I'm not "tearing him down." I'm just being realistic. He didn't even get an invite to the combine and didn't participate. He ran a 4.92 40 at Rutgers pro day - 3 "big fatties" ran faster at combine. His stats were on nice side of mediocre and padded by RUs traditionally prolific 20 to to 20 offense that cant score. A guy without an invite was lucky to even be picked 224 (Teel was 178).

NFL Network had this to say:

“His Minnesota tape was not very good. His Rutgers tape in 2024 was just OK, and then I thought he took a step in 2025,” an AFC quarterbacks coach said. “Now, he’s not very athletic. He has to win from the pocket, or he has to improve his pocket mobility and his ability to escape. 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, he can anticipate really well, which you can’t say for everybody. And then you see him do a lot of things that you are going to ask him to do in the NFL. You see enough on that on tape that it makes you optimistic.”



So yeah a 4 year player and 3 year starter, with no combine invite is recognized as having some some decent skills and mediocre stats. Its 100% fair to say he had great WRs and RB who made a big difference for AKs 428 more yards over 2024.

Can he surprise like Pacheco? Sure but he will need a good OL and skill players. Washington liked him personally and because he had good hustle which I saw as well. Fall is a beautiful season and I increasingly I am unwilling to sit home watching dull football year after year (including pros). I like RU players a lot but I dont get romantic about what I see or dont see, That's nothing personal

you can't be serious

the NFL is littered, LITTERED, with bust that every 'expert' said was going to be good and good players who every 'expert' passed on. Do you want me to pull quotes on the likes of Russel, Leaf, Wilson, Mirer, Manzel, Rosen, Blackledge, or Romo, Brady, Staubach, Unitas, Starr, Warner, Montana and to a lesser degree guys that still were better than average in production and team success like O'donnel and others.

please just stop being tarrrrded here. a little objectivity and lack of bias goes a long way

his body of work shows massive improvement and intangibles that absolutely translate to the next level.

 

[Bueller]

you can't be serious

the NFL is littered, LITTERED, with bust that every 'expert' said was going to be good and good players who every 'expert' passed on. Do you want me to pull quotes on the likes of Russel, Leaf, Wilson, Mirer, Manzel, Rosen, Blackledge, or Romo, Brady, Staubach, Unitas, Starr, Warner, Montana and to a lesser degree guys that still were better than average in production and team success like O'donnel and others.

please just stop being tarrrrded here. a little objectivity and lack of bias goes a long way

his body of work shows massive improvement and intangibles that absolutely translate to the next level.

I know all about draft surprises and busts because I check on drafts during seasons and as follow-ups after. Most teams are not great at drafting and QB is a real sore spot. The draft follow-ups show QB systems/coaching on bad teams can be a career killer. I knew Darnold could get good because he was a LB in HS who had a good year as emergency fill-in for injured starting QB. His first scholarship was for basketball. He got by on being a god athlete but he needed a good team to develop and Jets weren't it - but I knew another team could do it.

In any case, sticking to the current facts hope and dreams aside, I only mentioned AK in reference to how good RUs WRs have been. AK wasn't getting drafted throwing to Dremels and Washingtons (who were well below B1G starting standards) . The meager 428 yd "production increase" Washington Commanders saw was more due to having some top WRs with smart observers recognizing Duff is a 1st rounder if not a top 12 - dude does everything hard while making it look easy (Devin McCourty was like that his senior year).

Looking at AK's specific games vs top ranked teams, I can see why there was no draft invite (getting drafted low and doing great later is not near the same as no combine invite at all and doing great).

Verses Ohio St #5 we had 10 of 20 for 81 yds and no TDs/INTs - 34 of the yards were Duffs on 2 receptions
Verses Oregon #4 we had 8 of 25 for 79 yds and 2 INTs - 41 of the yards were Duffs on 3 receptions
Verses Iowa #17 we had 24 for 40 and 330 yds with one INT - 92 of the yards were Duffs on 7 receptions

Now if you can look at those QB stats vs those teams and see lots of QB potential then more power to you. Of course it has to be mentioned that opposing DCs have an easy time making game plans to stop RU from scoring. No surprise RU could not a passing TD vs 3 best teams. On a side note Raymond had 2 TDs vs Iowa and 1 Vs Ohio St.

I'll be happy to se AK do well and could see him as a good change-up reliever that defenses haven't planned for. Once there is enough video on him he will have a hard time because they will know he cant run anywhere with a 4.95 and 29.6 vertical (he won state title as long jumper and did hurdles so maybe his leg hurt in 2025?).

 

[RUTGERS95]

I know all about draft surprises and busts because I check on drafts during seasons and as follow-ups after. Most teams are not great at drafting and QB is a real sore spot. The draft follow-ups show QB systems/coaching on bad teams can be a career killer. I knew Darnold could get good because he was a LB in HS who had a good year as emergency fill-in for injured starting QB. His first scholarship was for basketball. He got by on being a god athlete but he needed a good team to develop and Jets weren't it - but I knew another team could do it.

In any case, sticking to the current facts hope and dreams aside, I only mentioned AK in reference to how good RUs WRs have been. AK wasn't getting drafted throwing to Dremels and Washingtons (who were well below B1G starting standards) . The meager 428 yd "production increase" Washington Commanders saw was more due to having some top WRs with smart observers recognizing Duff is a 1st rounder if not a top 12 - dude does everything hard while making it look easy (Devin McCourty was like that his senior year).

Looking at AK's specific games vs top ranked teams, I can see why there was no draft invite (getting drafted low and doing great later is not near the same as no combine invite at all and doing great).

Verses Ohio St #5 we had 10 of 20 for 81 yds and no TDs/INTs - 34 of the yards were Duffs on 2 receptions
Verses Oregon #4 we had 8 of 25 for 79 yds and 2 INTs - 41 of the yards were Duffs on 3 receptions
Verses Iowa #17 we had 24 for 40 and 330 yds with one INT - 92 of the yards were Duffs on 7 receptions

Now if you can look at those QB stats vs those teams and see lots of QB potential then more power to you. Of course it has to be mentioned that opposing DCs have an easy time making game plans to stop RU from scoring. No surprise RU could not a passing TD vs 3 best teams. On a side note Raymond had 2 TDs vs Iowa and 1 Vs Ohio St.

I'll be happy to se AK do well and could see him as a good change-up reliever that defenses haven't planned for. Once there is enough video on him he will have a hard time because they will know he cant run anywhere with a 4.95 and 29.6 vertical (he won state title as long jumper and did hurdles so maybe his leg hurt in 2025?).

my point is that you are looking at it through a biased lense. There is no question that NFL teams liked him enough to bring him in for private workouts with one team drafting him. Whether he makes it has as much to do with things outside his control as it does his ability.

 

[DJ Spanky]

my point is that you are looking at it through a biased lense. There is no question that NFL teams liked him enough to bring him in for private workouts with one team drafting him. Whether he makes it has as much to do with things outside his control as it does his ability.

Don't bother: it's fairly obvious where his personal bias is.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Don't bother: it's fairly obvious where his personal bias is.

mind boggling
in addition to all of this, the kid is just a super rep of the university and an outstanding human being. You'd have be a complete fktard NOT to want him to succeed

 

[tru2ru1]

mind boggling
You'd have be a complete fktard NOT to want him to succeed

Or be a Sadexcuse troll!!!

 

[Knight Shift]

I'm not "tearing him down." I'm just being realistic.

NFL Network had this to say:

“His Minnesota tape was not very good. His Rutgers tape in 2024 was just OK, and then I thought he took a step in 2025,” an AFC quarterbacks coach said. “Now, he’s not very athletic. He has to win from the pocket, or he has to improve his pocket mobility and his ability to escape. 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, he can anticipate really well, which you can’t say for everybody. And then you see him do a lot of things that you are going to ask him to do in the NFL. You see enough on that on tape that it makes you optimistic.”



So yeah a 4 year player and 3 year starter, with no combine invite is recognized as having some some decent skills and mediocre stats. Its 100% fair to say he had great WRs and RB who made a big difference for AKs 428 more yards over 2024.

Can he surprise like Pacheco? Sure but he will need a good OL and skill players. Washington liked him personally and because he had good hustle which I saw as well. Fall is a beautiful season and I increasingly I am unwilling to sit home watching dull football year after year (including pros). I like RU players a lot but I dont get romantic about what I see or dont see, That's nothing personal

Did you read this part of what the NFL Network said, or did you just gloss over this?

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, he can anticipate really well, which you can’t say for everybody. And then you see him do a lot of things that you are going to ask him to do in the NFL. You see enough on that on tape that it makes you optimistic.”

 

[Bueller]

Did you read this part of what the NFL Network said, or did you just gloss over this?

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, he can anticipate really well, which you can’t say for everybody. And then you see him do a lot of things that you are going to ask him to do in the NFL. You see enough on that on tape that it makes you optimistic.”

I posted that part so I knew about it

Ever heard of Sam Hartman? He was a top QB for Wake Forest where he played for 5 years before becoming starting QB for Notre Dame. He set all kinds of records at Wake including All-Time ACC touchdown leader. He was talked about as a potential Heisman candidate.

He was a good QB but not great. He's now on Commanders as a back-up QB who floats between practice squad and Active roster. Marcus Mariota is also a back-up on team and he was a #2 overall in 2015. In the NFL all QBs have some skills. Usain Bolt destroyed runners with skills. Teel and Nova had skills.

I've never said AK didn't have skills. I just said having top NFL quality WRs (and I include Strong who had to leave to escape an RU offense that only had him score in 2 games) raised AK's game which is easy to see objectively. Duff vs Dremel as starters is like a Lambo vs a Kia.

AK said the same things himself -

“Both Ian and KJ and DT — you saw from all of them today — they’re great players,” Kaliakmanis said. “They make me look a lot better, they really are great players, and it’s just all their work paying off. This is a really good receiving core. I’m blessed to have them, I’m blessed for the way they work. I’ll continue to talk about that because they’re so talented naturally, but they work. I’ve never seen receivers work like they do in my career. For them to be as talented as they are, that’s why they’re making the plays that they’re making.”

https://www.dailytargum.com/article/this-is-a-really-good-receiving-core-athan-kaliakmanis-speaks-on-rutgers-footballs-offense-in-victory-over-miami-of-ohio-20250907

So there we are - AK and I are on same page

Washington Says and Jayden Daniels and Mariota are set as 1 and 2 so as of now its AK vs Hartman for #3. Hartman was fighting depression for awhile. He has the skills of course but he can tune out. AK will make good first impression in camp but games are where is can get skittish. NFL draft profile noted AKs slide into flustered play and also how he disappeared in big games. Profile also noted the accuracy wasn't always great but that's where a Duff/Strong save you.

So - again - NFL and I are on same page. I didn't even know they mentioned competition fade when I posed about it

Weaknesses​

• Accuracy and ball placement were hit-or-miss.
• Consistency and decision-making are an issue when under duress.
• Struggled against the best competition he faced.
• Below-average escapability from the pocket.

Athan Kaliakmanis Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Athan Kaliakmanis

www.nfl.com

 

[Knight Shift]

I posted that part so I knew about it

Ever heard of Sam Hartman? He was a top QB for Wake Forest where he played for 5 years before becoming starting QB for Notre Dame. He set all kinds of records at Wake including All-Time ACC touchdown leader. He was talked about as a potential Heisman candidate.

He was a good QB but not great. He's now on Commanders as a back-up QB who floats between practice squad and Active roster. Marcus Mariota is also a back-up on team and he was a #2 overall in 2015. In the NFL all QBs have some skills. Usain Bolt destroyed runners with skills. Teel and Nova had skills.

I've never said AK didn't have skills. I just said having top NFL quality WRs (and I include Strong who had to leave to escape an RU offense that only had him score in 2 games) raised AK's game which is easy to see objectively. Duff vs Dremel as starters is like a Lambo vs a Kia.

AK said the same things himself -

“Both Ian and KJ and DT — you saw from all of them today — they’re great players,” Kaliakmanis said. “They make me look a lot better, they really are great players, and it’s just all their work paying off. This is a really good receiving core. I’m blessed to have them, I’m blessed for the way they work. I’ll continue to talk about that because they’re so talented naturally, but they work. I’ve never seen receivers work like they do in my career. For them to be as talented as they are, that’s why they’re making the plays that they’re making.”

https://www.dailytargum.com/article/this-is-a-really-good-receiving-core-athan-kaliakmanis-speaks-on-rutgers-footballs-offense-in-victory-over-miami-of-ohio-20250907

So there we are - AK and I are on same page

Washington Says and Jayden Daniels and Mariota are set as 1 and 2 so as of now its AK vs Hartman for #3. Hartman was fighting depression for awhile. He has the skills of course but he can tune out. AK will make good first impression in camp but games are where is can get skittish. NFL draft profile noted AKs slide into flustered play and also how he disappeared in big games. Profile also noted the accuracy wasn't always great but that's where a Duff/Strong save you.

So - again - NFL and I are on same page. I didn't even know they mentioned competition fade when I posed about it

Weaknesses​

• Accuracy and ball placement were hit-or-miss.
• Consistency and decision-making are an issue when under duress.
• Struggled against the best competition he faced.
• Below-average escapability from the pocket.

Athan Kaliakmanis Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

All Combine and Draft-Related Analysis, News, Video, and Biographical Information for Athan Kaliakmanis

www.nfl.com

AK is the penultimate teammate. That's what a good QB says about his receivers, ends and running backs. Just like a good running back says- could not have done it without the big fatties blocking for me.

And here is Duff on his senior QB:
Duff, like many of his fellow teammates on the offensive side of the ball, gives credit to their senior captain, who is the main reason they are such an effective unit so far this season.

"(Kaliakmanis) was one of the hardest workers on the team, and from the offensive perspective, he really holds everyone accountable," Duff said. "He wants to look right, he's going to get it right … he's definitely worked hard all offseason."

Your bring up all your examples--ever here of Tommy DeVito-aka Tommy Cutlets? I'm sure he is crying all the way to the bank after being a 3rd string QB last season! "The New Jersey native, known as “Tommy Cutlets,” appears to have comfortably — especially financially — settled into his life as a backup quarterback."

Nowhere did anyone say AK was going to be annointed as starting QB. Backups have decent careers int he NFL. Especially tacticians and hard workers liek AK.

Ex-Giants fan favorite Tommy DeVito gets $7.4 million Patriots payday after season as third-stringer

Tommy DeVito can afford all the cutlets he desires.

nypost.com

You lose!!!!

 

[ClassOf02v.2]

AK is the penultimate teammate.

Athan is the second to last teammate? Wow, I knew the sport was dying, but didn’t realize it was happening so quickly!