Why Tennessee Coach Josh Heupel Has ‘Great Respect’ for Illinois’ Luke Altmyer

Why Tennessee Coach Josh Heupel Has ‘Great Respect’ for Illinois’ Luke Altmyer

As the clock ticks down to the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl on December 30, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has repeatedly expressed profound admiration for Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer. In press conferences leading up to the matchup between the 8-4 Volunteers and the 8-4 Fighting Illini, Heupel – himself a former national championship-winning quarterback at Oklahoma in 2000 – praised Altmyer’s command of the offense, accuracy, decision-making, and dual-threat ability. “I think he’s got great command of what they’re doing offensively,” Heupel said on December 29. “Has been accurate in that way, but he’s got the athleticism to be a part of the run game as well… Got great respect for him and what he’s done during the course of his career.”

Heupel’s words carry weight, coming from a coach whose up-tempo, high-scoring system has transformed Tennessee into one of college football’s most explosive offenses. The Vols average over 40 points per game in 2025, led by transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar. Facing an Illinois team under Bret Bielema that prides itself on physicality and balance, Heupel knows Altmyer represents the biggest challenge to his defense’s ability to force quick stops.

Altmyer’s 2025 season has been a testament to efficiency and resilience. The senior signal-caller threw for 2,811 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just five interceptions while completing a career-high 68.1% of his passes. He added mobility with situational runs, turning potential negatives into advantages in the red zone and on third downs. Nationally, Altmyer ranks in the top 20 for passing efficiency and has orchestrated multiple clutch drives. Over his Illinois career (2023-2025), he leads the nation with six game-winning drives in the final minute or overtime – a stat that underscores his poise under pressure.

Heupel’s respect stems from recognizing a kindred spirit: a quarterback who elevates those around him through smart play rather than sheer volume. As a player, Heupel thrived in a spread offense at Oklahoma, winning the Walter Camp Award and finishing runner-up for the Heisman in 2000. He sees echoes of that in Altmyer’s ability to dissect defenses pre-snap and deliver accurate balls while avoiding mistakes. Tennessee’s interim defensive coordinator William Inge echoed this, noting Altmyer’s “very strong arm” and capability to make deep throws.

There’s also a subtle professional connection that adds intrigue. Altmyer began his college career at Ole Miss in 2021, where he played under offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby – Heupel’s former OC and quarterbacks coach at UCF in 2019. Lebby ran a similar air-raid influenced system to Heupel’s, giving Altmyer early exposure to concepts like tempo, RPOs, and layered reads. Earlier in 2025, when Tennessee sought a transfer quarterback, Altmyer’s name surfaced due to this schematic familiarity, though he chose to return to Illinois for his senior year.

Altmyer’s journey embodies perseverance. A four-star recruit from Starkville, Mississippi, he saw limited action behind Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss before transferring to Illinois ahead of 2023. Under Bielema, he blossomed into a captain and program cornerstone, helping elevate the Illini to back-to-back bowl appearances and tying the single-season wins record. Returning for 2025 despite NFL interest, Altmyer aimed for a playoff push – a goal that fell short but still yielded a strong campaign.

In the Music City Bowl context, Heupel’s praise serves as both genuine respect and subtle bulletin-board material. Tennessee enters as favorites, but opt-outs (including key defenders) could open doors for Altmyer to exploit. If Illinois pulls the upset, it would mark back-to-back nine-win seasons for the first time in program history – a fitting capstone for Altmyer’s legacy.

Heupel’s comments highlight why bowl games like this remain compelling: two respected coaches, explosive offenses, and quarterbacks who command admiration from peers. As a former QB turned innovative coach, Heupel sees in Altmyer the traits that define great signal-callers – and that’s why his respect runs deep.