When it comes to the rise of college football stars, few stories are as compelling as that of Luke Altmyer and Hank Beatty! As we reach the midpoint of the college football season, it’s impossible to discuss the Illini’s achievements without highlighting the remarkable contributions of quarterback Luke Altmyer and wide receiver Hank Beatty. Each has showcased a significant evolution in their game that has not only persisted since last season but has also seen considerable growth this year.
Last season, Altmyer displayed a transformation that was night and day compared to his initial year at Illinois in 2023 after transferring from Ole Miss. In his previous season, he participated in nine games, where he managed to complete 175 out of 270 pass attempts, resulting in a completion percentage of 65%. This earned him 1,883 yards, averaging just over 209 yards per game, along with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. This initial performance gave fans a glimpse of his potential. However, he took those lessons to heart, refining his skills and strategies, and this past season, he showcased even stronger statistics, completing 211 of his 347 passes for 2,717 yards, achieving a 61% completion rate, 22 touchdowns, and reducing his interceptions to only six.
When you look at his current season, the numbers are even more impressive. Across six games, Altmyer has thrown for 1,573 yards, completing 109 of his 148 passes with 12 touchdowns and, notably, no interceptions. If he continues on this trajectory, extrapolating for the remainder of the season (which includes at least seven more games), he could realistically end the season with figures reaching 235 completions out of 316 attempts (a stellar 74% completion rate), accumulating around 3,407 yards and 26 touchdowns. This remarkable performance could very well land him a nomination for the coveted Davey O’Brien Award, putting him in great company with previous winners.
For context, let's compare his potential achievements with those of recent award recipients:
* Cam Ward from 2024, who had 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, a completion rate of 67%, and 7.8 yards per pass attempt.
* Jayden Daniels from 2023, who posted 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, a completion rate of 66%, and an impressive 11.7 yards per pass attempt.
* Max Duggan’s stats from 2022 included 3,698 yards, 32 touchdowns, with a 63% completion rate and 8.8 yards per pass.
Should the Illini make a strong push for the College Football Playoff and possibly have a deep run, Altmyer might even find himself in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football!
Considering his excellent statistics, impressive calm under pressure, and leadership skills, Altmyer is also making a strong case for a high selection in the upcoming NFL draft. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema emphasized Altmyer's focused approach, stating, "He shuts out the noise and takes care of his day." Bielema’s praise extends to Altmyer’s preparation, highlighting how he has a dedicated study space where he immerses himself in film analysis to gear up for practices.
"He excels in preparing for practice on Tuesday, making necessary corrections on Wednesday, and finalizing the game plan on Thursday," Bielema detailed.
What makes Altmyer’s achievements even more significant is the fact that this season, he is operating without his top two receving threats from the previous season, Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin.
A large part of Altmyer's success can be attributed to wide receiver Hank Beatty, who has emerged as a pivotal player, especially this season. Although Beatty played in the shadows of Bryant and Franklin last year, he has stepped into the spotlight impressively. Although on the surface, his numbers from the 2025 season—569 yards from 32 receptions and just two touchdowns—might seem underwhelming, they don't encompass his overall contributions to the team. He has also participated in special teams activities, where he has returned nine punts for 170 yards and one touchdown, in addition to rushing for 25 yards and securing another touchdown himself, alongside a touchdown pass. When viewed through the lens of all-purpose yards, Beatty boasts a total of 767 yards and four touchdowns. If he can boost his touchdown receptions while keeping his yardage intact, he could find himself in contention for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation’s top receiver.
Projected based on current performance, if Beatty maintains his pace throughout the rest of the season (at least seven more games), he could end up with approximately 1,232 receiving yards, which would exceed Pat Bryant’s total from last season by 248 yards, although projected touchdowns would stand at five. To be a serious contender for the award, he’ll need a substantial increase in touchdown receptions to somewhere between 9 to 10.
If Beatty continues his current performance pace, his stats might look something like this: 69 receptions, 1,232 yards, and an average of 17.8 yards per catch.
In comparison, here’s how his projected season would stack up against the last three winners of the award:
* Last year’s winner, Travis Hunter, who had 96 receptions for 1,258 yards with an average of 13.1 yards per reception, and 15 touchdowns.
* Marvin Harrison Jr., the 2023 winner, whose stats included 67 receptions for 1,211 yards, an impressive average of 18.1 yards per catch, and 14 touchdowns.
* In 2022, Jalin Hyatt claimed victory with 67 receptions, amassing 1,267 yards and averaging 18.9 yards per reception, with 15 touchdowns to his name.
Bielema noted Beatty’s adaptability and instinct in the game, saying, "There are plays we specifically design for him, but he has a knack for letting the game unfold naturally to him. That's a promising trait."
Bielema also highlighted the strong connection between Altmyer and Beatty. "Luke has developed a deep comfort level throwing the ball to Hank, knowing exactly where he’ll be and what he can do after the catch."
In my view, it’s evident that Beatty has the potential to find himself on an NFL roster next season—something not many would disagree with!
