It has been 24 years since the Illinois football program has had a quarterback selected in the NFL Draft, and we were hoping that Luke Altmyer would be the one to break that streak.
Altmyer, who played three seasons for the Illini after transferring from Ole Miss, was the No. 8-ranked quarterback heading into this year's NFL Draft. He was one of the highest-rated QBs that this program has seen in quite some time, with Kurt Kittner being their last drafted quarterback in 2002.
Sadly, the dream did not come to fruition this past weekend, as the 23-year-old signal caller did not get the call throughout the NFL's entire three-day event. But that was not the end of Altmyer's path to the NFL, as he was immediately signed as an undrafted free agent by the NFC North staple Detroit Lions.
Sources: #Lions are signing Illinois QB Luke Altmeyer pic.twitter.com/MO7j52KI7M
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2026
Altmyer is coming off a tenure with Illinois, where he was one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in program history. He became a legend for the Orange and Blue, capturing Illinois' all-time career passer rating (144.31) and completion percentage (64.36%), while ranking second in career quarterback wins (23) and touchdown passes (57).
The Lions are now adding to their quarterback room that already has two established veterans in Jared Goff as the starter and Teddy Bridgewater as the backup.
It was shocking that Luke Altmyer was not drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft
Altmyer was not going to be selected with a high pick in this draft, with almost every mock draft projecting him to be taken on the third day of the event. He was supposed to be one of those late-round stash plays, but ended up slipping all the way off everyone's boards.
It was a bit of a bummer to watch, but not a gigantic burden in the grand scheme of things. Altmyer is still an NFL football player after being signed as an undrafted free agent, and he has a chance to secure a spot on the roster for the foreseeable future.
This situation couldn't be more preferable for the Altmyer, as he will be able to sit behind two veterans of the game in Goff and Bridgewater. He will be able to learn and absorb a ton of knowledge this upcoming season, while also trying to better himself as a quarterback.
Granted, this isn't as bright and shiny as actually being taken in the draft, but there is still a lot of football to be played for one of the greatest Illini ever to lace up a pair of cleats.
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