CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, released Tuesday by The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., along with presenting sponsor A. O. Smith Corporation.
Altmyer is one of 58 players on the preseason watch list, including one of eight from the Big Ten Conference. The senior, voted as one of six team captains for the 2025 Illini, has also been recognized this preseason on watch lists for the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Davey O'Brien Award, and Manning Award.
JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, now in its 39th year, annually recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with his class. The preseason watch list, semifinalists, finalists, and award recipient are selected by the distinguished Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, and former players.
LUKE ALTMYER
- 2025 Team Captain
- 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List
- 2025 Maxwell Award Watch List
- 2025 Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
- 2025 Manning 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 six interceptions
ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF AUGUST 19)
- Luke Altmyer – Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Davey O'Brien Award, Manning Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- Tanner Arkin – John Mackey Award
- Hank Beatty – Paul Hornung Award
- Bret Bielema – Dodd Trophy, Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
- J.C. Davis – Outland Trophy
- Kaden Feagin – Doak Walker Award
- Lane Hansen – Patrick Mannelly Award
- Gabe Jacas – Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award
- Aidan Laughery – Doak Walker Award
- Kenenna Odeluga – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
- Xavier Scott – Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, Chuck Bednarik Award
