CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Illini football quarterback Luke Altmyer is among 14 offensive standouts from the Big Ten on the preseason watch list for the 89th Maxwell Award.
On Monday, the Maxwell Football Club announced 80 players across the country who could be deserving of the honor. The Maxwell Award has been presented each year to the College Player of the Year in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell. The annual presentation has been taking place since 1937.
In his time at Illinois, Altmyer achieved the following accolades:
- 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 6 interceptions
The previous three winners of the Maxwell Award are as follows: 2024 - Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State), 2023 - Michael Penix Jr. (QB, Washington), 2022 - Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
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