Luke Altmyer calls out recruit Trae Taylor for Illinois fake, commitment to Nebraska

Nebraska landed Trae Taylor, a top-50 recruit in the 2027 class, on Thursday. He committed following the classic hat switch, which saw him put the Illinois hat on before tossing it to the side and grabbing the Huskers hat.

This led Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer to give the recruit an earfull on social media. “[corn] ball, no pun intended,” he wrote in a post on X.

🌽 ball, no pun intended https://t.co/0wod9aSN6O

— Luke Altmyer (@lukealtmyer9) May 1, 2025

Altmeyer, who has played for the Fighting Illini for the past two seasons, appeared to take exception to the gesture from the young high school quarterback. Taylor also pushed aside LSU and Texas A&M hats before leaving the Illinois and Nebraska hats to his left.

After announcing the correct school he would be attending for his freshman year, Taylor spoke highly of the Nebraska football program and its coaching staff. He said he feels that Nebraska is a place where he can come in and compete for playing time early in his career.

“I feel Coach Rhule and Coach (Glenn) Thomas can really grow me as a man on and off the field,” Taylor said, via On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “Their system that they have it fits the offense I’m running right now in high school that I’m having a ton of success in. Coach Rhule and Coach Thomas both have been at the highest level and have seen what it takes to get there and I feel they can really prepare me for the NFL.”

For Altmyer, he’s set to return to Illinois for the 2025 college football season — his senior year. Although, Altmyer was among several quarterbacks that were mentioned as possible transfer fits for Tennessee following Nico Iamaleava‘s surprising decision to enter the portal following a failed NIL renegotiation. He later confirmed his commitment to the Illini on social media.

Altmyer is a former Ole Miss transfer and is entering his third season directing the Fighting Illini offense following a career-best 2024 campaign. He threw for 2,717 yards on 60.8-percent passing and 22 touchdowns to six interceptions while adding 217 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.

Illinois will kick off its 2025 regular season against Western Illinois on Saturday, Aug. 30. They’ll take on the ACC’s Duke, along with Western Michigan before opening Big Ten Conference play on the road against Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers, fresh off a run to the College Football Playoff in 2024, during Week 4.