NFL
Where Alabama undrafted 2026 NFL draft prospects signed as free agents
Where did Alabama's undrafted players sign after the 2026 NFL Draft?
Yahoo Sports1 min read
Sports
Lions reportedly add UDFA quarterback
TL;DR
The Detroit Lions are signing former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer as an undrafted free agent. Altmyer had a successful college career, completing 64.4% of his passes for 7,607 yards and 57 touchdowns over three seasons.
Key points
- Detroit Lions signing Luke Altmyer as undrafted free agent
- Altmyer completed 64.4% of passes for 7,607 yards
- He had 57 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in college
- Transferred from Ole Miss to Illinois after losing starting job
- Led Illinois to a 9-4 record in senior year
Luke AltmyerDetroit LionsIllinoisOle Miss
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws the ball during the 2025 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 30, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Detroit Lions are reportedly signing former Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer as an undrafted free agent, per Tom Pelissero.
Altmyer originally enrolled at Ole Miss, but after getting beat out by Jaxson Dart in 2022, he transferred to Illinois and became a three-year starter for the Illini. In those three years, he completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 7,607 yards, 57 touchdowns and 21 interceptions—and a 7.7 yards per attempt average. His production increased every year, and his senior year was statistically his best. He completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions, as he led the Illini to a respectable 9-4 record, including a win over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.
As a draft prospect, Altmyer arm strength is okay, but not special. He’s been praised for his smarts and he’s got decent mobility—finishing his college career at Illinois with 741 rushing yards and another 13 rushing touchdowns over three seasons.
With the Detroit Lions, Altmyer is pretty firmly third in the quarterback depth chart behind starter Jared Goff and veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater. But if he can pick up the playbook quickly and put together a good training camp and preseason, there’s a chance he could land on the 53-man roster. If not, the Lions could choose to keep him around on the practice squad to develop.
Q&A
Who is Luke Altmyer and what are his college stats?
Luke Altmyer is a former quarterback for Illinois, completing 64.4% of his passes for 7,607 yards, 57 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions during his college career.
Why did Luke Altmyer transfer from Ole Miss to Illinois?
Luke Altmyer transferred from Ole Miss to Illinois after being beaten out by Jaxson Dart for the starting position in 2022.
What impact could Luke Altmyer have on the Detroit Lions?
Luke Altmyer's signing as an undrafted free agent could provide depth at the quarterback position for the Lions, especially given his strong college performance and mobility.