It’s been just two games for Illinois in the 2025 season, and we have already seen enough clutch plays, an improved ability under pressure, and red-zone mastery from QB1 Luke Altmyer. For instance, that third-quarter strike with Duke trailing 13-14 for a 4-yard touchdown was a game-changing moment in Week 2, as Illinois steamrolled Duke 45-19 with a dominant Luke Altmyer showing in the second half. And now, the excitement around the QB, improving on his 2024 season (2,717 passing yards), is so high that even rival coaches are drawing up special plans to tackle the guy.

“He’s a really good college quarterback who will win a s— ton of games there…He’s good at everything he does, ” said one rival coach to The Athletic. While another competing head coach went on to point out the quality in

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