NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Illinois QB Luke Altmyer

Luke Atlmyer is an experienced and accomplished quarterback prospect with average physical tools but flashes good football IQ. Altmyer projects as a career backup quarterback due to his limited physical upside.

Initially, Altmyer began his career at Ole Miss. He enrolled as a former 4-star recruit in the 2021 class. He started 36 games in his career, with 35 coming at Illinois. He was named as an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten the last two seasons.

Dame Parson is the lead host of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast. He also serves as co-host of the Scouting Room NFL Podcast alongside Daniel Harms.

Highlights

Luke Altmyer Highlights

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Where He Wins

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- Good processor post-snap; identifies the coverage before scanning to find an open receiver

- Comfortable in true passing situations; handles full-field reads and displays good football IQ

- Creates space for his targets versus zone coverages by manipulating defenders with his eyes

- Functional/above average athlete; scrambler who will convert first downs if unaccounted for

Areas of Improvement

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- Adequate arm strength to drive the football

- Inconsistent lower body mechanics; is not lined up to his target, leading to inaccuracies

- Difficulty throwing and fitting passes into windows versus tight-man coverage

- Decision-making declines under pressure; will put the ball in harm's way

Grade, Rank, and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 5.54 (Backup/Draftable — 6th-7th Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Kedon Slovis (5.6 in 2024), Joe Milton (5.5 in 2025), Michael Pratt (6.0 in 2024)

OVERALL RANK: 298

POSITION RANK: QB13

PRO COMPARISON: Jake Haener

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'1¾"
Weight: 210
Hand: 9"
Arm: 29⅞"

40-YARD DASH: 4.72
Vertical: 32"
Broad Jump: 9'6"
3-Cone Drill: N/A
20-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Bench Press: N/A