Luke Altmyer’s Final Ride: Illini QB Set to Play in Music City Bowl, Capping a Legacy Built on Loyalty and Big Moments
CHAMPAIGN - For Luke Altmyer, bowl games have always been more than just football. They’re memory makers.
As a kid, he watched his Mississippi State heroes light up NFL stadiums in the postseason - Chris Relf torching Michigan in the Gator Bowl, Vick Ballard running wild against Wake Forest in the Music City Bowl. Back then, Altmyer was just a wide-eyed fan in maroon and white, dreaming of one day standing in their shoes.
Now, he’ll get that chance - again - and this time, it’s personal.
Altmyer, Illinois’ starting quarterback, has officially announced he’ll suit up for the Illini one last time in the 2025 Music City Bowl against Tennessee. And for a program that’s already seen key players like edge rusher Gabe Jacas and left tackle J.C. Davis opt out, Altmyer’s decision is more than just symbolic - it’s a major boost for a team looking to close out an 8-4 season on a high note.
“I love the sport. I love to compete.
I love these guys,” Altmyer said. “I respect the university, man, and I’d regret it if I didn’t go out there and play ball - do the thing I’ve always wanted to do.”
A Legacy Written in Orange and Blue
Altmyer’s impact on Illinois football can’t be overstated. Over the past two seasons, he’s helped guide the Illini to 18 wins - tying the most successful two-year stretch in program history. A three-year starter and back-to-back All-Big Ten honorable mention selection, Altmyer has cemented his name in the Illinois record books:
- First in career completion percentage (64.5%)
- Third in quarterback wins (22)
- Second in touchdown passes (56)
- Sixth in passing yards (7,411)
And while his numbers speak volumes, it’s the way he’s led - with grit, resilience, and a deep connection to the program - that’s made him one of the most respected players to ever wear the Illini uniform.
Head coach Bret Bielema put it best: “Luke’s done so many positive things. I think this is just the final ‘dot the i, cross the t’ moment for him in his career. He’s got a long opportunity ahead of him in the NFL.”
Why He’s Playing - And Why It Matters
In today’s college football landscape, it’s not unusual for top players to sit out bowl games to prepare for the draft. But Altmyer isn’t wired that way.
He says he thought long and hard about the decision. And in the end, it came down to love - for the game, for his teammates, and for the school that gave him a shot.
“I just want to do the best thing for myself,” Altmyer said. “But the bottom line is I love to play. I love to compete.”
It’s also worth noting: Altmyer isn’t a lock as a high-round NFL Draft pick. This game - against an SEC opponent, no less - is a valuable opportunity to make one final impression in a quarterback class that’s still taking shape. And for a guy who grew up on SEC football, it’s a full-circle moment.
“Last year I got to play an SEC team - the conference I grew up in,” he said. “To have that opportunity again is special. Something I’ll remember for a long time.”
The Tennessee Twist
There’s another layer to this story, too. Tennessee made a quiet push for Altmyer in the spring after their quarterback Nico Iamaleava entered the transfer portal and landed at UCLA.
Altmyer never entered the portal. He stayed loyal to Illinois, even with a bigger payday potentially on the table elsewhere.
In a twist of fate, Tennessee ended up bringing in UCLA’s Joey Aguilar - essentially a QB swap between the two programs. Aguilar delivered big for the Vols, leading them to the No. 7 scoring offense in the country (40.8 points per game) and throwing for 3,444 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Now, Altmyer gets to face the team that once tried to lure him away. But don’t expect any added drama from him.
“Yeah, it’s an interesting thing,” Altmyer said. “But the bottom line is I’m going to go play their best 11, and we’re going to have our best 11 out there. My focus is going to be on preparing for what they bring at us.”
Still, in a sport full of storylines, this one practically writes itself.
One Last Game, One Last Memory
Altmyer’s final game in an Illini uniform will be played just a few hours from where he grew up. His family - including a large contingent from Mississippi - is expected to be there in full force. And for Altmyer, that makes this bowl game feel even more like home.
“Obviously, my family, my friends will be there - the whole nine yards,” he said. “You’ll certainly hear some southern accents from some Mississippians.”
But more than anything, he’s focused on going to battle one last time with the teammates he’s grown so close to.
“We were all together last night cracking jokes, telling stories,” Altmyer said. “I love these dudes, man.
I really do. I have such a unique relationship with each and every one of them.
That’s what I’ll be focused on for sure.”
The Bottom Line
Luke Altmyer’s decision to play in the Music City Bowl isn’t just about one more game. It’s about legacy.
It’s about loyalty. It’s about finishing what he started - with the teammates, coaches, and fan base that have become part of his story.
And when he steps onto the field in Nashville, under the lights of another NFL stadium, he won’t just be chasing a win. He’ll be chasing another memory - the kind he used to dream about as a kid in the stands, watching his heroes play.
Now, he gets to be one.