Antioch (Ill.) wide receiver Dino Kaliakmanis has been a strong hold in Minnesota's 2021 recruiting class alongside his brother Athan Kaliakmanis for well over a year now.
The Gopher Report caught up with the talented pass-catcher to get an update on why he picked Minnesota, his relationship with the coaching staff, and thoughts on the Gophers program and their current Top 10 recruiting class.
- You and your brother have been committed for over a year now, what was one of the biggest factors that made you want to join their program?
"I would say probably one of the biggest factors was that it just felt right and with the coaching staff it's a privilege to be around them because they are very special people. They are a life program. They are not just about football. They care more about the basics and life."
- When did Minnesota start initially start showing you interest?
"The first time I actually met the staff was last year. It was when they first wanted to go see Athan throw. That's when officially first met them and the interest ramped up around February or March around that time."
- You visited a couple of times before you committed, what do you like about the atmosphere on campus and around the program as well?
"I really like the outdoors there and really love the lakes there. About the campus, I just really like how it's clean and it's organized. It's very safe and they do a very good job of keeping their campus really clean. As far as their program, they keep things very organized and they do a really good job of taking care of their players."
- What does the coaching staff say they like about your film and what you bring to the table on offense?
"They really like how I attack on every play. How I hustle and how I just really love the game and appreciate it."
- Minnesota is coming off an 11-win season, what did you like about this past season and their offensive schemes?
"Every time I watched one of their games I always felt like they put on a show. Every time they played they really showed that they can be something special and they can really go far. The coaches and the players to have really come together."
- The recruiting class is nationally ranked right now, currently in the Top 10, what do you like about the current class the staff is building?
"Honestly, I feel very honored to be a part of a Top 10 recruiting class. I really had no idea they would be in the Top 10. But, my brother has done a lot of recruiting for us so I give a lot of credit to him. I've helped out on some things, but a lot of the credit goes to him and he's done a very good job."
- Which coaches do you have the closest relationships with on Minnesota's staff?
"I'm very close obviously with Coach (P.J.) Fleck. I really like Coach (Matt) Simon. I feel like he's very energetic. He really knows what he's talking about and he's very passionate for his athletes and he loves to attack."
- What are some things you're working on this offseason to help get you better?
"I've been working on making catches the right way instead of the wrong way at certain times throughout certain routes. I've also been working on my releases off the line because that's a big thing for a receiver is to stay low getting off the line. I've also been working on my steps for cuts and my speed. I've also been working on my agility and footwork stuff.
The Gopher Report caught up with the talented pass-catcher to get an update on why he picked Minnesota, his relationship with the coaching staff, and thoughts on the Gophers program and their current Top 10 recruiting class.
- You and your brother have been committed for over a year now, what was one of the biggest factors that made you want to join their program?
"I would say probably one of the biggest factors was that it just felt right and with the coaching staff it's a privilege to be around them because they are very special people. They are a life program. They are not just about football. They care more about the basics and life."
- When did Minnesota start initially start showing you interest?
"The first time I actually met the staff was last year. It was when they first wanted to go see Athan throw. That's when officially first met them and the interest ramped up around February or March around that time."
- You visited a couple of times before you committed, what do you like about the atmosphere on campus and around the program as well?
"I really like the outdoors there and really love the lakes there. About the campus, I just really like how it's clean and it's organized. It's very safe and they do a very good job of keeping their campus really clean. As far as their program, they keep things very organized and they do a really good job of taking care of their players."
- What does the coaching staff say they like about your film and what you bring to the table on offense?
"They really like how I attack on every play. How I hustle and how I just really love the game and appreciate it."
- Minnesota is coming off an 11-win season, what did you like about this past season and their offensive schemes?
"Every time I watched one of their games I always felt like they put on a show. Every time they played they really showed that they can be something special and they can really go far. The coaches and the players to have really come together."
- The recruiting class is nationally ranked right now, currently in the Top 10, what do you like about the current class the staff is building?
"Honestly, I feel very honored to be a part of a Top 10 recruiting class. I really had no idea they would be in the Top 10. But, my brother has done a lot of recruiting for us so I give a lot of credit to him. I've helped out on some things, but a lot of the credit goes to him and he's done a very good job."
- Which coaches do you have the closest relationships with on Minnesota's staff?
"I'm very close obviously with Coach (P.J.) Fleck. I really like Coach (Matt) Simon. I feel like he's very energetic. He really knows what he's talking about and he's very passionate for his athletes and he loves to attack."
- What are some things you're working on this offseason to help get you better?
"I've been working on making catches the right way instead of the wrong way at certain times throughout certain routes. I've also been working on my releases off the line because that's a big thing for a receiver is to stay low getting off the line. I've also been working on my steps for cuts and my speed. I've also been working on my agility and footwork stuff.
