Starkville High School alumnus Luke Altmyer declared for the 2026 NFL Draft this week, turning professional after playing quarterback at Illinois for the last three seasons.
Altmyer was selected to the 2026 Senior Bowl, where he will get a chance to practice with NFL coaches and scouts and showcase his skills alongside other NFL Draft hopefuls.
In his senior season, Altmyer threw for 3,007 yards with 22 touchdowns to just five picks, leading the Fighting Illini to a 9-4 record.
Altmyer ends his five-year collegiate career with a 63.7 completion percentage, 60 touchdown passes and 24 interceptions, posting a career efficiency rating of 142.4.
He finished his time at Illinois with a 23-12 career record and near the top of several quarterback categories in program history. He is fifth in passing yards, second in touchdown passes and first in passer rating and completion percentage. His 2025 passing efficiency rating of 153.75 ranked 19th among all FBS quarterbacks.
The former Yellow Jacket committed to Ole Miss in the Class of 2021, and was backup to Matt Corral for two seasons before transferring to Illinois in 2023.
Altmyer led the Illini to back-to-back bowl appearances in 2024 and 2025, recording wins over South Carolina and Tennessee for the program’s first postseason wins since 2011.
Altmyer will take part in the Panini Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama on Jan. 31.
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