Bret Bielema confident in transfer QB Katin Houser entering 2026 season

CHICAGO, Ill. (WAND) - Illinois football is prepared to embark on a new campaign with a new quarterback behind center ready to lead the offense.

During day one of Big Ten football media days in Chicago, Illini head coach Bret Bielema expressed his confidence in Katin Houser as the go-to play-caller ahead of the 2026 campaign.

"Even though he hasn't started a game at Illinois he did play at Michigan State and has been a really good football player for a long time at East Carolina," Bielema said. "I'm counting on those reps to carry over to Illinois as well."

The transfer QB follows in the footsteps of Luke Altmyer, who became one of the most efficient passers in Illinois history over the course of his career at Illinois.

Experience has played a big role in Houser's ability to perform at a high level. With 26 career starts, he enters the 2026 season with the 12th most among quarterbacks at the FBS level. Bielema expressed that Houser's visibility as the program's play-caller in an important part of leading a program.

"I wanted him to be known as the quarterback of the University of Illinois going into this season," Bielema said. "I think he's a great representative, not just for who he is, but what we represent at Illinois. That's why we've got him."

Over the course of his 4-years in college football Houser has thrown for 6,438 yards and 43 touchdowns, adding another 15 scores rushing.