Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer discusses how he's trying to improve his NFL Draft stock
Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer discusses how he's trying to improve his NFL Draft stock In 2023, he had a 13-10 TD pass to INT ratio, 7.0 yards per attempt and a passer rating of 131.9. Last season, he improved those numbers to 22-6, 7.8 and 144.0
If you look at national college football starting quarterback power rankings, you'll often see Illinois Fighting Illini signal caller Luke Altmyer near the top. Among Big Ten QB1s, Altmyer is the highest tier of power rankings. However, if you look at NFL Draft prospect rankings for 2026, you won't often see Altmyer's name.
This, despite all that he's accomplished at the collegiate level thus far. Altmyer has another chance this year at Illinois to get his name into the draft prospect conversation. When you look at his career arc, it's very likely that the Starkville, MS native and Ole Miss transfer will do so.
In 2023, he had a 13-10 TD pass to INT ratio, 7.0 yards per attempt and a passer rating of 131.9. Last season, while leading the Illini to a 10 win season that included a New Year's bowl victory, he improved those numbers to 22-6, 7.8 and 144.0
To quote Disco Stu from The Simpsons, "if these trends continue...hey!"
Altmyer was on hand for Illini Night at Wrigley Field, meeting the media at a private function just outside the Friendly Confines. The Illinois quarterback would later sing the seventh inning stretch of Cubs vs Brewers, alongside his coach Bret Bielema, who told the fans who had traveled in from Wisconsin to "sit down." Prior to the distinctive "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" rendition, Altmyer provided some memorable soundbites.
Asked what he's doing to work on his game, and improve his NFL Draft stock, he answered:
"All areas, physically, I want to get better at my strength, my speed, my agility, my body control.
"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.
"It's what I did this morning, you know, to get stronger, to work on my balance, my health, my ability to sustain the season without injury, all that stuff. So I'm working really hard to do it.
"So hopefully they see that on the field in 2025, but intangibly, it's those things I work on every single day too. 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."
On this current Illini squad, one that is widely considered to be a leading College Football Playoff contender in 2025, the individual player with the highest NFL Draft stock is edge rusher Gabe Jacas.
"He's gonna make a lot of money in the NFL one day, probably," Altmyer said of Jacas.
There are many factors in Altmyer's favor, one of which is his having experience in the two biggest college football conferences. While it's technically a "power four" these days, it's really more of a "power two" in the Big Ten and SEC. Altmyer has experience playing in both, and with that he's on the radar of coaches and personnel in both the south and the north.
These people all know NFL people, and that can only help his professional prospects.
Altmyer discussed his decision to leave Mississippi for Illinois, and why he decided to stay when the SEC offers came rolling again this offseason.
"It's a long way from home, I'll tell you that," Altmyer added.
"Out of high school, I didn't have a Big 10 offer at all, so it's something that's super foreign to me. I didn't grow up watching Big 10 football, and so it was definitely a mental hump that I had to get over, but it was the right thing to do. I knew that hump and that change and that growth would only bring out the best to me.
"So it was definitely difficult, because it was change and growth, new people, new area, new everything, but I know that it's that hump that makes me who I am every single day.
"So it's been great. My family's grown to love this place, Illinois, Chicago, Champaign, whatever it is. And so my friends, they all got their their calendar circled, all for the dates that they'll be up here to watch, and it's just it's a good time to be a little football fan."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
40 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Game 7 memories from stars and celebs: Kobe Bryant stands out
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night had a number of sports celebrities — from outside the basketball world, even — thinking of one player. Kobe Bryant. Bryant played in only one Game 7 of a finals, that coming in 2010, but for plenty in the sports world his 23-point, 15-rebound effort that led the Los Angeles Lakers to an 83-79 win over the Boston Celtics for his fifth and final championship still stands out as the quintessential moment from ultimate games. The NBA asked celebrities and star athletes what Game 7 makes them think of, and some of the responses got right to the point. 'Kobe,' soccer legend David Beckham said. 'What do I think?? I think Lakers 2010 — Pau (Gasol) and Kobe,' tennis star Carlos Alcaraz said. Another tennis great, Novak Djokovic, said he thought of Lakers-Celtics in 2010 and the Cleveland-Golden State finale where LeBron James and Kyrie Irving came up big late for the Cavaliers in 2016. 'I'm thinking about electric atmosphere on the stands, no one is seated for the whole game,' Djokovic said. 'I'm thinking about Kobe and Gasol stellar performance in Game 7 of 2010 Lakers-Celtics and I'm thinking about LeBron's block and Irving's 3 pointer to seal the deal for Cavs vs Warriors Game 7 in 2016 thriller.' Cavs-Warriors 2016 another memory Part of the lore of the Cleveland-Golden State finale in 2016 wasn't just James getting a chase-down block against the Warriors' Andre Iguodala in the final moments. It was also ABC announcer Mike Breen's description of the call. Tennis player Ben Shelton and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua both remembered Breen's line perfectly: 'Blocked by James,' they both responded. Other quotes A selection of other responses collected by the NBA: 'Where legends are born.' — tennis' Frances Tiafoe. 'This is basketball, the game that everybody wants to watch. Can't wait !!!!!!!' — soccer star Kylian Mbappé. ''All eyes.' It's my stage.' — Colorado football coach and former NFL and MLB star Deion Sanders. 'GOAT TIME.' — NFL legend Jerry Rice. 'When I hear the words Game 7, I automatically think of the epic and legendary 3-pointer that Ray Allen made in Game 6 to force Game 7, where my Miami Heat team went on to win the NBA Finals championship.' — rapper Flo Rida. 'It's About to Go Down!!! Who will become legend? MJ, Kobe, Bron ... who's next?' — Cedric the Entertainer. 'Control what you can control mentality! I just wanted to make sure I did all the little things for my team.' — Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade. 'Everything you ever worked on and worked for is all in this one moment. Take it play by play ... leave it all on the court.' — former Heat guard Mario Chalmers. 'Play into the emotion. Don't expect fair. Expect the unimaginable.' — Cleveland's Iman Shumpert, part of the 2016 Cavs win. ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Announce Angel Reese Injury News After Ninth Loss
Chicago Sky Announce Angel Reese Injury News After Ninth Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky fell to the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, dropping their record to 3-9 on the 2025 WNBA season. After what had been an impressive four-game stretch individually, sophomore forward Angel Reese attempted just one shot in the loss to Phoenix, which was a season low. Advertisement Chicago is back in action on Sunday against the Atlanta Dream, which will complete a difficult back-to-back. Playing against Phoenix on Saturday, the Sky had a quick turnaround and will now play the Dream on Sunday afternoon. As they look to get back in the win column, the Sky announced injury news regarding Reese. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images For the first time this season, Reese was listed on the injury report. Sky reporter Karli Bell posted on X that the 2024 WNBA All-Star was listed as questionable to play against Atlanta due to a leg injury. It initially seemed possible that Reese's addition to the injury report was precautionary due to the quick turnaround on the second day of a back-to-back, especially since she was seen warming up on the court pregame. Ahead of Sunday's meeting Sky head coach Tyler Marsh confirmed Reese's questionable status, saying she was officially a game-time decision against Atlanta (via Karli Bell). The team has since upgraded her to available, meaning she will play. Advertisement Speaking with reporters after Saturday's game, Marsh was asked about why he pulled his starters so early. While he cited the lopsided score, he also mentioned Chicago has some players banged up right now, and the team is actively managing workloads on this tough back-to-back (via Chicago State of Mind Sports). In other injury news, the Sky will have Moriah Jefferson available for the first time this season. Related: Angel Reese Facing Punishment After Chicago Sky Game on Sunday Related: Calls Mount for Chicago Sky Coach's Firing After Angel Reese Decision in Ninth Loss This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Make Ariel Atkins Announcement After 10th Loss
Chicago Sky Make Ariel Atkins Announcement After 10th Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky entered Sunday afternoon's game against the Atlanta Dream looking to bounce back from another loss. Dropping their ninth game of the season on Saturday, a blowout defeat against the Phoenix Mercury, the Sky were back in action just one day later. Advertisement Entering the second half of this back-to-back just 3-9 on the season, Chicago was searching for answers. The team received some stellar all-around performances in this afternoon affair. After attempting just one field goal against Phoenix, sophomore forward Angel Reese finished with 10 points, 19 rebounds and four assists against Atlanta. She was not the only Sky player to stuff the stat sheet. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Leading the Sky in scoring was veteran guard Ariel Atkins. She erupted for 29 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists. Rachel Banham pitched in 10 points while Elizabeth Williams added 16 off the bench, giving Chicago four players in double figures. Advertisement Unfortunately for the Sky, this was not enough to secure the victory, as a late Atlanta run took control of the game. With a few strong performances to choose from, the Sky announced after this loss that Atkins had been named Player of the Game. This loss was Chicago's 10th of the season. At just 3-10, the Sky remain near the bottom of the WNBA standings. Only the Connecticut Sun own a worse record in the Eastern Conference, as Chicago's postseason hopes continue to grow slimmer, despite the season still being young. The Sky will resume action on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Sparks. Related: Chicago Sky Announce Angel Reese Injury News After Ninth Loss Related: Calls Mount for Chicago Sky Coach's Firing After Angel Reese Decision in Ninth Loss This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
