Luke Altmyer’s football journey has already taken him through the gauntlet of SEC competition, a transfer to the Big Ten, and the challenge of carving out his place at Illinois. Now, the junior quarterback is stepping into the season with confidence, discipline, and a vision that extends well beyond Champaign.
“I approached my game in so many different ways,” Altmyer told Paul M. Banks of RG.com. “You know, being a better physical player within the quarterback position. (I) wanted to put my team in better situations, winning the turnover battles and (making) explosive plays, and things like that.”
Those words reflect not only a player trying to master his position, but one who understands that winning at the college level requires efficiency as much as flash. For Altmyer, it’s about putting the Fighting Illini in position to succeed every Saturday.
Finding His Place in the Big Ten
Altmyer believes he is competing in the premier conference in college football — a league that demands toughness, depth, and consistency from its quarterbacks.
“The conference that I’m in, I think is the best conference in football,” he said. “I’m surrounded by a lot of good people, a lot of good players, and got a lot of momentum to go do everything that’s possible, imaginable, out there in college football. So there’s a lot of good things going on at the University of Illinois right now, and I enjoy it here. I don’t need all the outside attention to be happy at all, because I’m surrounded by the right things.”
That mindset matters in Champaign, where head coach Bret Bielema has been building a program rooted in stability and player development. Altmyer’s role is central to that mission.
Brotherhood with Jaxson Dart
Altmyer’s time at Ole Miss also shaped him, particularly his quarterback competition with Jaxson Dart. What could have been a rivalry instead turned into a lifelong friendship.
“That year we had at Ole Miss, where we were co-workers, we were good friends,” Altmyer recalled. “We had a lot in common, we laughed a lot together. We competed, and that naturally just brought us super close. And I root for him. He roots for me. He’s a good player, so there is a lot of love and respect there for him.”
Even as Dart pursues NFL opportunities, Altmyer keeps a supportive eye on his friend’s journey.
“I don’t know that space really well. I don’t know the NFL game. I hope to learn it one day, but I know he works hard. I know he’s got good character. I know he’s talented. I know he’s putting in the work, so if it comes to him, it’s for the right reasons,” Altmyer said.
“The focus and intensity that he shows up with is going to show up. He’s gonna be on the field eventually, that’s for sure.”
Chasing the NFL Dream
Altmyer doesn’t hide from his own pro football aspirations. But he knows getting there is about daily discipline, not shortcuts.
“All areas, physically, I want to get better at my strength, my speed, my agility, my body control,” he explained. “There’s so many things that scouts and teams look at within a player that can go and help their team, and that’s what I’m doing every single day.”
“I mean, the scouts and those NFL teams that pay the big bucks, they look into every little bit. So I just try to do whatever I can to be in that position one day, but there’s tons of areas in my game I can get better at.”
That attention to detail is what Illinois fans are hoping will elevate the program in the years to come — and what NFL evaluators will eventually weigh when considering him as a prospect.
Inspired by Russell Wilson
When asked about his quarterback role model, Altmyer didn’t hesitate.
“Growing up, I think Russell Wilson,” he said. “Because I mimic his game a little bit, being able to run a little bit, throw it well, and a winner, and a guy who carries himself with some great character. So I look up to him a lot.”
Like Wilson, Altmyer is intent on being more than just a playmaker. He wants to be the kind of leader who inspires teammates, commands the huddle, and wins with both poise and character.
Looking Ahead
For Altmyer, Illinois is not just a stop along the way — it’s a proving ground. His words carry the sound of a quarterback who has grown from a transfer into a leader, who has learned the value of competition, and who understands that success comes from putting the right pieces together every single day.
With his feet firmly planted in Champaign, his eyes are on the Big Ten grind. But his vision extends beyond, to Sundays, where the lessons he’s learning now may one day pay off at the highest level.
