Luke Altmyer

NFL Draft Profile: Luke Altmyer

Position: Quarterback | School: Illinois | Class: Senior

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 215 lbs | Archetype: Rhythm-Based Game Manager / Improviser

College Career Summary

Luke Altmyer is the definition of a "climber." After starting his career at Ole Miss behind NFL-caliber talent like Matt Corral and Jaxson Dart, Altmyer transferred to Illinois to find his own path. His tenure in Champaign was marked by steady, incremental improvement under Bret Bielema. While his 2023 debut was inconsistent, his 2024 and 2025 seasons solidified him as one of the Big Ten’s most efficient and reliable signal-callers.

The 2025 season was Altmyer’s masterpiece. He led the nation in career game-winning drives (6) and maintained a high completion percentage (68.1%) despite losing his top target to the NFL. His signature performance came against USC, where he became the first Big Ten player in 30 years to throw for 300+ yards, throw a touchdown, run for a touchdown, and catch a touchdown in a single game. He leaves Illinois as the third-winningest quarterback in program history.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Passing Yards: 2,811

• Completion %: 68.1%

• Passing TDs: 21

• Interceptions: 5

• Rushing TDs: 4 (plus 1 Receiving TD)

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Cmp/Att, Yds, TD/INT)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs #21 USC	25/35, 308 Yds, 1 TD/0 INT	A+	The MacGyver Game. Totaled 4 TDs in 3 different ways. Elite poise.
2	@ Purdue	19/22, 390 Yds, 1 TD/0 INT	A	Surgical efficiency (86%). Unitas Golden Arm Player of the Week.
3	vs Central Mich	18/26, 235 Yds, 2 TD/0 INT	B+	Clean, methodical performance. Controlled the tempo with ease.
4	@ #9 Penn State	16/25, 185 Yds, 0 TD/1 INT	C+	Struggled under elite pressure; play-making was neutralized.
5	vs #24 Michigan	17/22, 192 Yds, 0 TD/0 INT	B	Played "winning ball" against a stout front. Minimal mistakes.
6	@ Oregon	17/35, 161 Yds, 0 TD/2 INT	D	Season Low. Forced throws against elite speed; unraveled in the 2nd half.
7	@ Washington	22/34, 199 Yds, 2 TD/2 INT	C	High volume but lacked efficiency in a tough road environment.
8	vs Rutgers	19/31, 235 Yds, 4 TD/1 INT	A	Lethal in the red zone. Displayed great touch on layered passes.
9	vs Maryland	15/25, 172 Yds, 2 TD/1 INT	B	Solid management; used his legs (62 rush yds) to extend drives.
10	@ Wisconsin	21/35, 248 Yds, 0 TD/0 INT	B-	Good yardage, but the offense failed to finish drives in a 10-27 loss.
11	vs Northwestern	10/15, 136 Yds, 0 TD/0 INT	B	Efficient finale. Secured the win with rhythmic, short-game passing.

NFL Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Nuance & Prep: Altmyer is widely praised for his "unseen" preparation. He diagnoses coverages quickly and rarely targets the wrong read, leading to a high 21:5 TD-to-INT ratio.

• Clutch Gene: He is at his best when the game is on the line. His ability to stay level-headed during 4th-quarter comeback drives is among the best in the class.

• Crafty Mobility: While not an explosive "gazelle" runner, he is highly effective at buying time and picking up 1st downs with his feet (evidenced by 12 career rushing TDs).

• Ball Placement: He specializes in "touch" throws, feathering passes over linebackers and into tight windows in the intermediate game.

Weaknesses

• Arm Strength Ceiling: He lacks the "cannon" arm to drive the 15-yard out-route on a rope or consistently beat NFL-speed safeties on deep vertical shots.

• Frame Density: At 215 lbs, he has added good weight but still lacks the prototypical "sturdy" frame of an NFL pocket passer.

• Poise Under Heavy Duress: His mechanics tend to breakdown when his first read is covered and the pocket collapses (see Oregon/Washington 2025).

• System Dependent: Some scouts wonder if his high efficiency is a product of Barry Lunney’s QB-friendly, timing-based offensive scheme.

Scheme Fit

• Primary Fit: West Coast / Rhythm Passing. He is an ideal fit for a system that values high-percentage completions and a "distributor" mentality, such as the San Francisco 49ers or Miami Dolphins.

Scout's Final Word

"Luke Altmyer isn't going to blow anyone away at the Combine with his 40-time or his arm strength, but he's a 'football player' in every sense of the word. He wins with intelligence, timing, and an uncanny ability to make the right play in the biggest moments. He projects as a Round 5–7 developmental prospect who has the savvy to eventually stick as a high-end NFL backup or a spot-starter."