Illinois will have to replace Luke Altmyer at quarterback next season, and they’ve made a big step toward doing so in the transfer portal.
On Sunday evening, the Illini announced that former East Carolina quarterback Katin Houser had agreed to join the squad for the 2026 season, potentially taking the top slot on the depth chart in Champaign.
Houser, who spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Michigan State, took a huge step forward in his following two seasons with the Pirates. That culminated in a 2025 season that saw him throw for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns in 12 games, completing 65.9% of his passes, all of which were career highs.
Houser also showcased some ability in the rushing game, scoring nine touchdowns on the ground for the Pirates in the 2025 season.
The Pirates ended up with a 9-4 record on the season, including a season-ending 23-17 victory over Pitt in the Military Bowl on December 27.
Houser will have big shoes to fill as Altmyer moves on from a successful run with the Illini. In three seasons in Champaign, Altmyer threw for 7,607 yards and 57 touchdowns, ranking him among the greatest quarterbacks to put on an Illinois uniform.
His career culminated with the 2025 season, where he helped Illinois to a second-straight nine-win season for the first time in team history. He also helped Illinois to a Music City Bowl victory over Tennessee, marking the second straight year the Illini have defeated an SEC squad in a bowl game.
The Illini will open their 2026 season with a home game against UAB, then will welcome the reigning ACC champion Duke Blue Devils to Gies Memorial Stadium on September 12.
The team’s Big Ten schedule will feature home games against Iowa and Oregon, as well as road games against Ohio State and Northwestern.
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