There has been speculation that Luke Altmyer would enter the transfer portal.
After a stellar 2024 season for the Fighting Illini, the Illinois star wouldn't have been blamed for seeking the brightest lights.
But one of the Big Ten's top returning QBs officially pushed back on that notion on Tuesday. He's coming back to Illinois.
Altmyer confirmed his return with a social media post in which he wrote, "Keep the Champaign flowing...."
Well worded and big news for the Fighting Illini faithful.
Altmyer will be a senior for Illinois after beginning his college career at Ole Miss.
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As a junior, Altmyer threw for 2,717 yards (60.8% completion) with 22 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions. He also made plays with his legs en route to 217 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
Altmyer led Illinois to a Citrus Bowl win on Dec. 31, 2024.
Before the game, Altmyer said, South Carolina players were calling Illinois "Syracuse" for their similar jerseys. Altmyer took that chip and ran with it straight to a win.
“It’s Big Ten ball,” Altmyer said that night. “I’ve been hearing all this talk about ‘SEC, SEC, get in the Playoff,’ things like that. I’m just tired of the disrespect. I think Illinois has been a disrespected program for a long time. I know that because I lived in that area and in that conference. And I don’t think that’s the case anymore."
Altmyer certainly takes pride in his program, and he'll now officially get another year to show it.
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