Altmyer Named to Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, released Thursday by the Davey O’Brien Foundation.

Altmyer is one of 36 players on the preseason watch list, which is comprised of the top returning signal-callers in college football. The list is compiled by a subset of the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee based on previous Division I career player performance as well as expectations heading into the 2025 college football season.

Altmyer, who was also named to 2025 preseason watch lists for Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Maxwell Award, is the first Fighting Illini to be named to the Davey O’Brien preseason watch list since Nathan Scheelhaase in 2012.

DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. It honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership in both academics and athletics.

LUKE ALTMYER

• 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
• 2025 Maxwell Award Watch List
• 2025 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten Second Team
• 2025 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten Third Team
• 2025 Big Ten Preseason Honors
• 2025 Wooden Citizen Cup nominee
• 2024 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
• Leads the nation with five career game-winning drives in the final minute/OT
• Davey O’Brien Award Class of 2024 as one of the top 35 quarterbacks in college football
• Started all 13 games in 2024 and led Illinois to a 10-3 record, tying the program’s single-season wins record
• One of the most efficient passers in the nation in 2024, posting 22 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions

ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF AUGUST 7)