Football
Illinois Football Adds Division II QB Maurice Smith From the Transfer Portal
Could Smith be Bret Bielema’s successor to Luke Altmyer at the Quarterback position?
As Luke Altmyer’s three-year run at the helm of Barry Lunney Jr.’s offense nears its close, the Illinois Football staff now confronts the daunting task of selecting his successor at the game’s most crucial position. That said, Bret Bielema’s crew kicked off 2026 National Signing Day with an interesting pickup, as Cowan University (D2) grad transfer quarterback Maurice Smith inks his letter of intent with the Fighting Illini with one year of eligibility remaining.
The Fort Pierce, Florida native, brings a wealth of college experience and a proven dual-threat skill set to Barry Lunney Jr’s arsenal. Over 16 games and two seasons with the Hawks from 2024 – 2025, Smith totaled 3,243 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns, compared to only 8 interceptions over that time. Prior to his time at the Division II level, Smith spent two seasons at FCS Long Island University — where he saw limited action, attempting just 2 passes for the Sharks.
Maurice Smith. Illinois Football. National Signing Day. Photo Credit: Maurice Smith Jr on X. (MauriceJSmithJr). 12/3/25
More on New Illinois Football Quarterback Addition Maurice Smith
Smith’s 2025 Stats: 1,088 passing yards. – 7 Passing TD’s. – 4 INT’s. – 166 rushing yards. – 3 Rushing Touchdowns. – 2 Receiving TDs. (18 yards).
At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Smith blends a strong arm with sneaky dual-threat mobility that allows him to make plays outside the pocket when needed, in addition to being a formidable threat in the run game. His film (below) shows that he thrives in traditional shotgun sets; however, his athletic abilities on the ground align well with the kind of designed quarterback runs Barry Lunney Jr wants his play callers to be able to execute. Maurice’s combination of experience and physical tools gives Illinois Football an immediate option to compete for the starting role, while also providing a seasoned, steady presence to guide Carson Boyd and the younger quarterbacks in Lunney Jr’s room.
Beyond the field, Smith is also an accomplished student, which certainly is a trait that adds intrigue at quarterback — a position that demands intelligence, preparation, and the ability to process complex schemes under pressure at the Power 4 level.
Grad Transfer QB – 6’2 1/2 – 230
21 Years Old, 1 year of eligibility
Stats: 3, 243 yards 25 TDs 8 ints in 13 games started
BA Criminal Justice: Long Island Univ.
— Maurice J. Smith Jr. (@MauriceJSmithJr) November 9, 2025
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________