2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Luke Altmyer (QB – Illinois)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Luke Altmyer

Luke Altmyer (QB – Illinois)

6-foot-2 | 215 Pounds

Background

Luke Altmyer was a four-star recruit who originally attended Ole Miss and is from Mississippi. Spent two seasons there, playing sparingly as an injury replacement for Matt Corral and then Jaxson Dart (one start in total).

Transferred to Illinois and started the first nine games of the season before sustaining a season-ending head injury. Went 4-5 as the starter that year, with 1,883 yards (64.8% completition rate, 7.0 yards per attempt), 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Went 10-3 in 2024, with 2,717 yards (60.8% completition rate, 7.8 yards per attempt), 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. Finished 9-4 this past season, throwing for 3,007 yards (67.4% completition rate, 8.2 yards per attempt), 22 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Positives

Altmyer was a three-year starter with a 24-12 career record and year-over-year improvements, playing in an offense with some pro-style concepts that asked him to take the occasional snap from under center. Footwork looks good. Avoids heel clicks. Aligns toward his intended receiver. Stays in his stance.

Sees the game well and makes good decisions with the football. When the blocking was clean, Altmyer did a good job of finding open receivers and playing with rhythm. Uses his eyes well to manipulate defenders and create throwing windows. Has a pretty smooth stroke and three-quarters release.

Throws a tight spiral and catchable ball overall, with appropriate touch and velocity. Has the presence-of-mind to protect receivers with his placement. Shows the ability to elude defenders from within the pocket, buying time while keeping his eyes downfield or finding checkdowns.

Plays with impressive composure and toughness against pressure. Flashes the ability to make throws when rolling to his right, sometimes by design.

Negatives

Altmyer is a little bit smaller than your typical quarterback. Has some tendencies to stare down receivers and hold the ball a tick longer than you’d like. Arm talent is certainly adequate, but not great. Has shown the ability to make pro-style throws toward the sidelines, but doesn’t always have the most zip, relying more on timing.

Tends to spray the ball a bit when throwing over the middle of the field on routes like slants. Misses in that area of the field came up a few times a game. There’s some escapability to his game, and he can pick up the occasional first-down when given a lot of grass, but he isn’t a true threat with his feet. Fumbles have been an issue, with 23 over the past three seasons.

Summary

A three-year starter who makes good decisions with the football and can serve as an effective distributor on rhythm-based shows at the short and intermediate levels, with adequate arm strength and placement. Altmyer’s overall physical and athletic tools leave a little bit to be desired, and he’ll need to avoid staring down receivers and be more consistent with his accuracy on slants.

Looks like Altmyer might be able to carve out a solid career as a backup/spot starter. That should be enough to get him consideration in the mid-to-late rounds.

Projection: Round 6