Football
Will Luke Altmyer Suit Up For Illinois in their Bowl Game?
Will the Illini have their QB1 in the postseason?
Illinois QB Luke Altmyer just put the cap on his final game in Champaign, as the Illini battled through snowy conditions to close out the 2025 regular season with a tough win over in-state rival Northwestern.
Now, the senior quarterback faces one last major decision of whether or not he will suit up for Illinois’ bowl game.
At 8–4, the Illini are in line for another high-profile postseason matchup. However, with Altmyer being a senior and set to embark on an NFL journey, the question naturally surfaced immediately after the win: Is this the end of his Illinois career? Or, will Luke take one more ride with his teammates?
If it were based purely on emotion, the answer would be simple. Altmyer makes it clear he loves this program, his teammates, and the journey he’s taken over three seasons since arriving in Central Illinois from SEC country. Certainly, his competitive fire has never been in doubt. Also, it cannot be overstated that there is quite a difference in the kind of recruiting sell that nine wins has as opposed to just eight wins.
That said, with the possibility of a long professional career ahead, every option must remain on the table.
Following Illinois’ 20–13 victory over the Wildcats to reclaim Lincoln’s Hat, Altmyer was asked directly about his plans for the bowl game. He addressed his thoughts on competing with the Illini for one final ride, offering a look into where his heart and mind are at as he weighs this tough decision.
2025 Regular Season Stats: 2,811 yards – 21 TD – 5 INT – 70.2 QBR
Illinois Football. Luke Altmyer. Credit: Illinois Football on X. (@IlliniFootball).
Luke Altmyer on Playing in the Fighting Illini’s Bowl Game
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know. I don’t know what 30 minutes looks like from now to be quite honest. I love to play, man, I love to compete. That’s what I bleed. That’s what I love. It’s what I breathe. This is what I prepare for. Any opportunity I get to get out there and start a football game and to play, especially with these guys who I love so much, man, like – I don’t take it for granted.
I’ll talk with some people and figure that out as it goes. But, I’ll tell you this, I love to play, and that says a lot…. So, we’ll figure that out. Like I said, I don’t know what tomorrow holds or even an hour from now. But, I’m very grateful.”
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