Who is a better QB, The Drake or Athan?

[SeaBee_Gopher]

I find it incredible that AK is as good as he is after watching him bounce balls at our receivers feet for an entire year. However, in both our game and against Iowa, better and more clutch quarterback play in the second half and they likely win both.

I saw the same thing from AK in the games against us and Iowa. He still seems to get nervous in clutch time. I think it's great AK has improved so much, but Drake is already better. AK has receivers getting a lot of attention from the pro ranks which likely accounts for the statistical differences.

 

[Ewert86PC]

Sorry, my bad; I should have realized that.

No problem, sir. I should have realized how my original comment could be confusing, too.

 

[Word]

I’d take Drake based on his potential. AK is currently better based on stats. But not sure that tells the whole story.

Drake is better by the eye test. Stats can be misleading (especially early in the season) and let's see where they end up at the end of the season. AK typically looks good early and falls off in the Big Ten season.

 

[gophmeister]

I wish the best for Athan. It didn’t work out here but he is a big ten starting qb which not a lot of people can say they’ve been. That said, I picked Drake as the better QB. We had to honor their run game and we fave up on hours.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

When it comes to the stats, people might be forgetting that Drake has played six fewer quarters than Athan.

 

[Rescooter]

If anyone feels the least bit bad for Athan; here he is taunting our student section:

 

[gophmeister]

If anyone feels the least bit bad for Athan; here he is taunting our student section:

View attachment 39220

I accept some degree of taunting. The last time I remember being PO’d about it was when the OSU player taunted Mo Ibrahim after his tendon exploded. To me it was like taunting a prize fighter who fought a 99 guys and you’re the 100th guy who was lucky enough when that slight breeze knocked the him over.

 

[Cobra]

I think there will be some receivers and tight ends from both the portal and high school that want to play with Drake and company, to go with those already here.
Ride the lightning!

 

[GoldenMAV30266]

I think there will be some receivers and tight ends from both the portal and high school that want to play with Drake and company, to go with those already here.
Ride the lightning!

I’m excited for the rest of the season, but equally as excited for portal season.

The thought of surrounding Drake with 3 or 4 tall, athletic, 4 ️ WR’s/TE’s is outstanding.

Although I still have faith that Coleman, Martino and Lanier could be really good.

 

[MaxyJR1]

I think there will be some receivers and tight ends from both the portal and high school that want to play with Drake and company, to go with those already here.
Ride the lightning!

I've never seen PJ gush over a player like Drake. He knows that teams are going to come with bags of cash. He has to push/gush about him to hopefully get top receiving recruits and Drake to stick around.

 

[DinkytownDelight]

Who is a better QB, The Drake or Athan?

Athan can rest his hat knowing he will forever be immortalized as an all-time practice player who never lived up to the hype.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I've never seen PJ gush over a player like Drake. He knows that teams are going to come with bags of cash. He has to push/gush about him to hopefully get top receiving recruits and Drake to stick around.

It is going to be interesting to see what happens with Drake after this year. He will definitely get offers, if he sticks around (and my gut says he will) I think he will be here for the long haul.

But you never really know these days with the way players move around.

 

[GoldenMAV30266]

It is going to be interesting to see what happens with Drake after this year. He will definitely get offers, if he sticks around (and my gut says he will) I think he will be here for the long haul.

But you never really know these days with the way players move around.

Didn’t the broadcast in a he first game literally day “NIL doesn’t matter to Drake because his family is in real estate” or something of the sort? Lol

 

[MNVCGUY]

Didn’t the broadcast in a he first game literally day “NIL doesn’t matter to Drake because his family is in real estate” or something of the sort? Lol

Based on everything we know of Drake and his family it is likely he won't be swayed by money the same way a lot of guys would be.

In the end it will come down to what he wants, if he is happy here (which he certainly seems to be) then it might not matter who comes calling or what they offer.

I am sure there will be lots of hand wringing and nervous fans....but all we can do is just see what happens. Hopefully he is here for the long haul and sets a bunch of records along the way.

 

[SeaBee_Gopher]

I find it hard to believe he'd leave if he is doing really well here. If teams are coming with bags of cash, then he knows the NFL also knows he's good. Most QBs that move purely for money seem to be the good college QBs that have limited pro futures and so want to maximize their college earnings. Drake will want to maximize his pro earnings. Wouldn't it be better to stay here and master one offensive system? Max Brosmer's success shows we can help develop pro QBs just fine.

I agree with other posters that it is very important we bring in high quality receivers so he can adequately showcase his talent. I'm sure we get a "home team" discount, but it's likely our NIL has to be at least close to competitive. If he keeps having success, I'm sure local advertising opportunities will come his way and he'll be fine. He can get his NIL the "old fashioned way", by actually earning it!!!

 

[MNVCGUY]

I find it hard to believe he'd leave if he is doing really well here. If teams are coming with bags of cash, then he knows the NFL also knows he's good. Most QBs that move purely for money seem to be the good college QBs that have limited pro futures and so want to maximize their college earnings. Drake will want to maximize his pro earnings. Wouldn't it be better to stay here and master one offensive system? Max Brosmer's success shows we can help develop pro QBs just fine.

I agree with other posters that it is very important we bring in high quality receivers so he can adequately showcase his talent. I'm sure we get a "home team" discount, but it's likely our NIL has to be at least close to competitive. If he keeps having success, I'm sure local advertising opportunities will come his way and he'll be fine. He can get his NIL the "old fashioned way", by actually earning it!!!

Need Brosmer to earn the starting job for the Vikes and then some smart advertiser will get a buddy ad campaign going with the two of them

 

[gopherbadgerman]

Drake is better by the eye test. Stats can be misleading (especially early in the season) and let's see where they end up at the end of the season. AK typically looks good early and falls off in the Big Ten season.

I'd agree with that. And I would take him over AK as well. But if Drake had better stats than AK people here would be referencing that all over the place.

Regardless I think MN got the better of that QB trade, if you want to call it that. I do think AK is much better than when he started here in 2023, although that bar was pretty low...

 

[jamiche]

I was super impressed by how much AK has improved. After watching him for 2-3 years here, I never would have predicted his 2025 production, command and accuracy. It helps that he has a couple of excellent receivers.

It wouldn't shock me if he ends up on an NFL roster as a backup.

 

[GoldenMAV30266]

Based on everything we know of Drake and his family it is likely he won't be swayed by money the same way a lot of guys would be.

In the end it will come down to what he wants, if he is happy here (which he certainly seems to be) then it might not matter who comes calling or what they offer.

I am sure there will be lots of hand wringing and nervous fans....but all we can do is just see what happens. Hopefully he is here for the long haul and sets a bunch of records along the way.

Our fan base is very concerned about everybody good leaving. But I'll use DT as a good example. I'd be willing bet a few big programs have tried poaching him and hes decided to stay.

Oddly I'm not all to worried. This might also be one of the deepest QB rooms we've had in a while. If Drake decides to leave (which I think he wont), I actually have faith that Jackson Kollock is another good one.

But *knocks on wood* that's not gonna happen.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I was super impressed by how much AK has improved. After watching him for 2-3 years here, I never would have predicted his 2025 production, command and accuracy. It helps that he has a couple of excellent receivers.

It wouldn't shock me if he ends up on an NFL roster as a backup.

He has improved, but I don't know that he has the intangibles that you have to have in the NFL. Look at the Iowa and Minnesota games....he lit both defenses up in the first half, but in the second half, when the game was on the line he really struggled.

He has talent....but making it in the NFL takes a special mix of talent and intangibles (especially at the QB position) and I haven't seen those from AK yet.

AK will probably have to go the Brosmer route and try get catch on with someone as an UDFA.

 

[jamiche]

He has improved, but I don't know that he has the intangibles that you have to have in the NFL. Look at the Iowa and Minnesota games....he lit both defenses up in the first half, but in the second half, when the game was on the line he really struggled.

He has talent....but making it in the NFL takes a special mix of talent and intangibles (especially at the QB position) and I haven't seen those from AK yet.

AK will probably have to go the Brosmer route and try get catch on with someone as an UDFA.

I could see him going that route. I’m not predicting stardom in the NFL but I could see him as QB3 for a couple of years.

 

[Schnauzer]

There is no doubt now. Who would trade Kaliakmanis and his worm burner misguided passes for both Brosmer AND Lindsey?

Kaliakmanis was lucky to get out of town with only one bad interception and was out-dueled by a redshirt freshman this Saturday and although he got to point at the scoreboard after last year's game in NJ, I don't think anyone associated with Brosmer would trade for Kaliakmanis either.