Altmyer discusses reasons for move to play with Illinois

Former Starkville High School quarterback Luke Altmyer saw the success that head coach Bret Beliema and the Illinois Fighting Illini experienced over the past season.

After watching the Illini win eight games and achieve a berth in the Reliaquest Bowl, that was enough for Altmyer to make the move from Ole Miss to Illinois.

He looks forward to what can be accomplished with the Illini.

“It's the opportunity to play for a great coaching staff, to play in this great conference in the Big 10 and this program has had a lot of success the previous year,” Altmyer said in a video posted on social media this week. “I think we can ride that into a great year this year.”

During his career with the Rebels, Altmyer completed 28-of-54 pass attempts for 317 yards and three touchdowns in nine games played. He rushed for another score.

Altmyer said he wants to be identified as a player who really cares, plays with a lot of purpose, plays for his teammates and someone who loves to compete.

He likes the atmosphere that Illinois presents.

“I'm a family-oriented guy,” Altmyer said. “When the lights come on, I play with a lot of purpose, but not just when the lights come on but every single day. When I walk through those doors, I don't show up for myself, but I show up for the guys around me.”

In high school, Altmyer was productive for the Yellow Jackets. He threw for over 3,000 yards as a junior, then added 1,653 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air as a senior.

Altmyer was selected a top five player in the state of Mississippi by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN.