Source: Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer visiting Illinois

Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer visited Illinois on Sunday, a source close to the quarterback told On3. He is staying with Ole Miss through its bowl game but was able to make the trip.

The former four-star recruit went head-to-head with Jaxson Dart last spring. The quarterback competition lasted nearly six months, carrying over to the fall before the USC transfer won out and started at quarterback the remainder of the season.

In three games, Altmyer was 8 of 17 for 125 yards. He also threw two touchdowns and one interception. Forced to take over for Matt Corral in last year’s Sugar Bowl, he threw for 174 yards with a touchdown and two picks.

Illinois picked up former Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito out of the portal last December. The project worked, as the Fighting Illini finished 8-4 in Bret Bielema‘s second season in Champaign. The Fighting Illini are set to play Missisippi State in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 2.

Picking up Altmyer would be key for Bielema’s staff. The head coach confirmed earlier this month that former Rutgers transfer Artur Sitkowski won’t be returning to Illinois next season. In a inexperienced, young quarterback room, the Ole Miss transplant could immediately compete for the job and bring starting experience.

Donovan Leary, the younger brother of Devin Leary, is currently a true freshman with the Fighting Illini. The NC State quarterback has also been linked to Illinois because of the connection with his brother.

Luke Altmyer is currently ranked 192 overall in On3’s transfer portal rankings. He is also 20th among quarterbacks. Because he only played in three games this season, he can take the redshirt for another year of eligibility.

He was initially committed to Florida State before Lane Kiffin flipped Atlmyer as part of the 2021 signing class.