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Football

Illinois Football in the Transfer Portal Quarterback Sweepstakes

2024-12-17

The quarterback situation for the Illinois football program appears to be relatively set for the 2025 season. However, there are still several factors to consider. Within the past week, the Illini received the exciting news that starting quarterback Luke Altmyer was returning to the program. This is a significant development as Altmyer has been at the helm for the past two seasons and led the team to a remarkable nine-win campaign in 2024.

Backing Up the Star

Illinois currently lacks experience in backing up Altmyer. Since the end of the season, there have been some changes in the quarterback room. Both Cal Swanson and Donovan Leary have left the program in search of better opportunities. This leaves freshman Trey Petty, freshman Carson Boyd, Jacob Huber, and Kirkland Michaux as potential backups. Interestingly, there is only one snap at the FBS level among these four backup quarterbacks.

The Need for an Experienced Backup

Bret Bielema is well aware of the need for a backup quarterback in 2025. While the young guys like Petty and Boyd are developing, Illinois could benefit from having someone with experience. One option that has emerged is Ethan Hampton. Coming out of Aurora Christian Schools in Illinois, Hampton was a highly regarded three-star recruit in the class of 2021. He initially chose Northern Illinois as his college destination but later entered the transfer portal. After four seasons with the Huskies, Hampton took a visit to Wake Forest and committed. However, on Monday, Wake Forest's head coach Dave Clawson stepped down, which led Hampton to back away from his commitment. Shortly after, it was reported that Hampton has two official visits lined up - to Illinois on Tuesday and Tulane on Friday.

Illinois' Potential with Hampton

Illinois has the potential to offer Hampton the opportunity to be a key piece on a good team. The team was close to making the College Football Playoff this season, and with Altmyer's return, there is no telling how far they can go. Hampton's numbers with the Huskies may not be outstanding - he amassed 2,568 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in four seasons, with a completion rate of 58.0%. But this isn't just about his numbers. It's about quarterback room stability.Just two seasons ago, Altmyer was in his first year, and Illinois brought in an experienced backup quarterback in John Paddock. This proved to be a great decision as Paddock stepped in when Altmyer was injured and had some remarkable moments, almost leading the team to a bowl game. Adding a player like Hampton would give Illinois a similar setup and add depth to the quarterback room.In conclusion, the quarterback situation for Illinois football in 2025 is a complex one. With Luke Altmyer returning and the search for a backup quarterback ongoing, there are many factors to consider. But with the potential of players like Hampton and the experience of the coaching staff, Illinois has the opportunity to build on their recent success and reach new heights.