Why Luke Altmyer Will Be the Top Quarterback in the Big Ten in 2025

Momentum is steadily growing around Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer after a breakout Junior season (2024).

As he heads into his final year in Champaign, he has the experience, the supporting cast, and a seemingly favorable 2025 schedule (early outlook, of course) to, once again, take his game—and the program—to the next level. With expectations rising, Illini fans are eyeing not just another strong season, but a legitimate shot at taking the program’s next step—competing in the College Football Playoff.

To get there, Illinois will need a big-time senior season from their leader under center. With the opportunity, of course, comes an immense amount of pressure and responsibility. The stakes are high, but Altmyer isn’t flinching at the noise. Luke’s wholeheartedly confident that he’s ready—mentally, spiritually, and physically—to win big in 2025, with a roster built to progress once again in the Illini’s 5th season under Bret Bielema‘s leadership.

The national media is catching on to the idea as well.

Altmyer has landed on several preseason watchlists, and some insiders are already calling him one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country.

I believe there’s a legit path for Luke to have his best season in 2025. If he does, don’t be surprised if he’s in the conversation of the top quarterback in the Big Ten.

I’m not sure there is a more underrated QB in the country than Luke Altmyer

So excited to watch him next season

Hopefully at Illinois pic.twitter.com/dEjw9BdQOd

— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) April 20, 2025

3 Reasons Why Luke Altmyer Could Be the Big Tens Best in 2025

By season’s end, there’s a real opportunity for Altmyer to be considered one of, if not the top quarterback in the Big Ten — but he’ll have to earn it.

The conference is loaded at the position heading into the season, with standout names like Drew Allar (Penn State), Dylan Raiola (Nebraska), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Bryce Underwood (Michigan), and Dante Moore (Oregon) all ready to make a name. It’s a deep, talented field—but Altmyer has the experience and tools at his disposal to make him a serious contender.

What might that path look like?

1: Roster Retention

Despite losing key contributors like running back Josh McCray to Georgia and top receivers Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin to graduation — and hopefully NFL rosters — Illinois returns the bulk of its offense and 18 starters overall from last season’s 10-win Citrus Bowl championship team. While those departures are undoubtedly significant, the depth Coach Bielema has built leaves the program in a much stronger position to sustain success than in years past.

Thanks to the transfer portal and the staffs continued grind into roster development, Altmyer enters 2025 confident, yet again, in the tools at his disposal. The biggest hit came in Justin Stepp’s wide receiver room, but the staff moved quickly to reload. Experienced portal additions Hudson Clement and Justin Bowick join a promising group of young playmakers like Hank Beatty, Malik Elzy, Alex Kapka-Jones, Collin Dixon and more, to give Luke a plethora of reliable targets. The group isn’t fully proven, but the upside is certainly real and promising.

Can Luke capitalize on the staff’s efforts to retain and reload? The Illini gunslinger believes confidently that he can.

Certainly, a quarterback confident in his surroundings, is a dangerous one.

Dec 31, 2024. Orlando, FL, USA. Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Hank Beatty (80). VS South Carolina Gamecocks. Camping World Stadium. Credit: Jeremy Reper. Imagn Images.

2: Strong Protection

Building off retention – Among those running it back in 2025, coach Bart Miller impressively returns all five starters on the offensive line from the Illini’s Citrus Bowl victory.

In addition to Miller retaining all of his top producers, the Illini staff also took further intuitive to strengthen depth in the two-deep rotation. Factoring in some of the offseason additions to the unit, and Luke Altmyers protection is looking mighty sturdy for the road ahead.

Certainly, it’s a great position for any quarterback to be in. For Luke, that familiarity should translate into success.

Coming off a dominant season-ending performance against South Carolina — and bolstered by added depth — this offensive line looks poised to take a step forward. Especially in pass protection, which proved inconsistent at times in 2024. With experience and confidence on their side, the improved protection will be critical to Luke Altmyer’s success as they continue to grow together.

Nov 30, 2024. Chicago, Illinois, USA. Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Josh Gesky. Northwestern Wildcats at Wrigley Field. Credit: Matt Marton. Imagn Images.

3. Luke Altmyer Could Take Illinois Football to Unseen Heights in the Modern Era of College Football

While Illinois may not yet have the roster to contend for a national title in this stage of Bret Bielema’s tenure, the program is clearly on an upward trajectory — one it hasn’t seen since 1951.

With the expanded 12-team playoff and multiple Big Ten spots up for grabs, Illinois has a legitimate shot to enter the postseason with a chance to make some noise nationally. Winning it all remains a long shot, but the door is open for a memorable run — and another big step forward for the program.

To get there, Illinois has to take care of a schedule that, at first glance, looks favorable. Making the most of it will require a complete team effort and at the heart of it, leading the charge, is Luke Altmyer.

I’d say the Starkville (MS) native has earned his stripes at Illinois. However, if Luke were to sustain success once again, and possibly lead the Illini to a CFP, I believe there would be strong case for him to be considered as the top QB in the Big Ten, and in addition, one of the best to ever put on an Illinois uniform.

Sep 7, 2024. Champaign, Illinois. USA.  Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer. Luke celebrates a win over the Kansas Jayhawks. Memorial Stadium. Credit: Ron Johnson. Imagn Images.

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