Illinois' Luke Altmyer replacement predicted as Ivy League transfer with 19-5 record

Luke Altmyer has been a great leader at the quarterback spot for Illinois.

But next season, the Fighting Illini will need a new quarterback. That brings the transfer portal into focus.

In the modern world of college football, that's a great way to replenish quickly at the QB position.

One name has been predicted by The Athletic's Manny Navarro: Jaden Craig.

Craig has been a star at Harvard, and he'd be looking at his graduate season at Illinois.

There had been some speculation about Craig entering the NFL Draft, so that decision would still have to be made, but then the Fighting Illini could get involved.

Bret Bielema doesn’t have a young quarterback ready to take over for Luke Altmyer," Navarro writes. "Craig, who was 19-5 as a starter at the FCS level, has been linked to the Illini early in the process as a good bridge option. He completed 61 percent of his passes for 6,074 yards, 52 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during his time at Harvard."

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Illinois started the 2025 season with massive expectations and didn't quite reach them, but the Fighting Illini have good things going as a program in the big picture. Landing their next quarterback is the next step toward keeping it going.

And if Craig ends up there for the taking in the transfer portal, Bielma would be wise to consider him as a strong new quarterback for Illinois.

More CFB transfer news:

• Florida State linked to Sun Belt's best player
• Miami's next transfer QB predicted to come from out west
• Notre Dame transfer QB could be coming to the ACC
• James Franklin has chance to land former Penn State QB for Hokies