Illinois Football news: NIU QB Ethan Hampton signs with Illini

Transfer Portal Pickup #2 For Illinois Football

NEWS: Illinois football has signed former NIU starting QB-Illinois Native Ethan Hampton from the transfer portal.

Hampton previously verbally committed to Wake Forest following his entry to the portal. However, after 11th-year head coach Dave Clawson stepped down to “recharge and refresh“, the 5th-year veteran decided to reopen his recruitment. Furthermore, the Elburn (IL) native briskly signed with his home state Illini.

The 6-foot-3 passer will bring much-needed experience to a rather young unit behind current starter Luke Altmyer. During the 2024 regular season, Ethan threw for 1600 yards and 12 touchdowns, in addition to a 58% completion rate and 6 interceptions. Certainly, there is room for Hampton to improve. Not to mention, a jump from the MAC to the Big Ten can be rather arduous. However, the capability is undoubtedly there for great development under the Illini staff.

Luke Altmyer’s recent success and proven development had to be a great sell for the veteran quarterback.

BREAKING: NIU transfer QB Ethan Hampton has signed with Illinois, per @PeteNakos_.https://t.co/amKsN0koa6 pic.twitter.com/Gtzme1hq71

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) December 19, 2024

Thoughts

After losing Donovan Leary and Cal Swanson to the Transfer portal, Barry Lunney Jr’s youthful quarterback unit will certainly benefit from 6th year (option for 7th a year due to a medical redshirt) veteran within the unit. Hampton’s experience in a leadership role as a former starter for the Huskies adds a much needed depth to the future of the Illini’s QB room post Luke Altmyer in 2026 and beyond.

Not to mention, if Luke were to be sidelined for any reason, the value in having an experienced starter as your backup in 2025 is of course extremely high. As many across the nation saw in September of the 2024 season, Hampton led NIU to greatest win in program history over #5 Notre Dame in South Bend.

When needed, Ethan could develop into a solid Big Ten starter for Illinois Football, alongside Luke Altmyer and coach Lunney.

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