Writing Illini
Fansided

Luke Altmyer to Tennessee transfer portal rumors put to bed, as Vols land Joey Aguilar

It was a scary 24 hours, as the Illinois football program could have been struck with a late transfer portal blow.
ByRees Woodcock|
Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) takes the field before the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) takes the field before the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

The chaos of the transfer portal doesn’t always stir up actual facts, and Illinois football has dealt with some interesting rumors over the past 24 hours.

Over the past couple of weeks, the Tennessee Volunteers lost their starting quarterback. Nico Iamaleava wanted more money and played hardball with the Vols. Tennessee called his bluff, and he hit the transfer portal. How does this affect the Illini, though?

Well, Tennessee went from having a starting quarterback to no longer having one. That opens the door for them to go out and poach a top quarterback in the college game. The rumors then ramped up about the Vols potentially going after Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer.

Back in mid-December, Altmyer announced his return to the Illini. While words are great, the offseason is long, and money can talk. The rumors were kind of heating up over the past 24 hours about Tennessee pursuing Altmyer. He played in the SEC with Ole Miss already, and I am sure the Vols were ready to back up the Brinks truck.

On Monday evening, those rumors were officially squashed. Numerous outlets reported that UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar is now headed to Tennessee. Iamaleava and Aguilar are now switching spots, as Iamaleava committed to UCLA as well.

What would the Illinois football quarterback situation look like without Luke Altmyer

It is pretty crazy to even have the thought about Altmyer departing the program. The thought never even crossed my mind before the week started. But thankfully, I think he is off the market and we will have him to start the 2025 campaign.

Let’s be devil’s advocate, though. What if Altmyer did take the bag and head somewhere else? What would the Illinois quarterback situation look like without him?

Honestly, I don’t think Illinois has the resources to go out and steal another quarterback. While the football team is seeing a resurgence, the basketball program is the No. 1 priority for NIL. Illinois does have a nice stable of quarterbacks, though.

I think Ethan Hampton, the Northern Illinois transfer, would have started the 2025 season. He probably would have been in a quarterback competition with Trey Petty. Petty won the 7A Mr. Football in the state of Mississippi two seasons ago and took a redshirt last year with Illinois.

So, without Altmyer, Illinois would likely have been saddled with Hampton, who threw for 1,600 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions with the Huskies in 2024. The other option would have been a quarterback in Petty who hasn’t thrown a pass in college. While these are two good future options and depth pieces, I am glad we were able to hold on to Altmyer. Illinois dodged a bullet on Monday night.

Home/Illinois Football