Illinois' offensive coordinator shared his honest thoughts on what he learned about the Fighting Illini's new starting quarterback.
The Illinois Fighting Illini have a chance to be an upper echelon team this season in the Big Ten but must move forward without departed star quarterback Luke Altmyer.
Altmyer led the Fighting Illini to back-to-back bowl game victories and is now with the NFL's Detroit Lions leaving Katin Houser to pick up where he left off.
Houser has become the talk of the Fighting Illini over the past week as he was named the team's starting quarterback at Big Ten Media Days.
On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. shared what he has learned about Houser so far including the areas where he has impressed the most.
Oct 16, 2025; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates quarterback Katin Houser(4) throws the ball against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
"He Knows How to Play"
Lunney, Jr. said that Houser has shown given him a front row, center view in practice of how well he knows the game of football, a positive sign for a team in need of veteran leadership and passing game production.
"He just proved to me that he knows how to play," Lunney, Jr. said in a video posted by reporter Tristan Thomas.
"He presents plays in practices like a guy who's played football, and a lot of it," he added.
"And that's what I learned about him. That's nothing really profound but it's good to see, good to know," he continued.
"We've got a guy here who understands his role, he understands his responsibility being the quarterback of the University of Illinois."
"An Incredible Mind and Work Ethic"
Houser has also impressed with his work ethic so far during his time in Champaign, Illinois.
"He's got an incredible mind, an incredible work ethic and he's tough," Lunney, Jr. said, adding that he relates to his teammates well and has a "lot of great qualities."
He hasn't been perfect, but that's rarity among any player let alone a quarterback.
Houser's proactive approach to getting better has impressed the Illini coordinator so far.
"There's no perfect player, there's no such thing as a perfect player," Lunney, Jr. continued.
"So does he have things that we're working on and trying to improve? Absolutely," he added.
"He attacks those on a daily basis...He's the leader of our time. I think that's only going to strengthen come game time, so I'm excited to see that."
Confident Houser Preparing for Year Five
Now in his fifth season, Houser's NFL future is on the line in Champaign, Ill. with Lunney, Jr. and head coach Bret Bielema leading the way.
A strong season could see Houser drafted in the first two to four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
An average to below-average season could cast plenty of doubt on his two stellar seasons with the East Carolina Pirates and make them look more like an anomaly than an accurate representation of the former Michigan State Spartan's quarterbacking skills.
Houser stands out on film as a player who has matured exponentially since his time in Greenville, North Carolina with the Pirates.
He stays calm in the pocket while looking to throw and is not afraid to tuck the ball and take off running at the exact right time regardless of the defensive pressure in front of him.
The Illini went far behind a player with similar tools in Altmyer last season.
Houser is next in line, and perhaps the next great Fighting Illini signal caller based on rave offseason reviews and his body of work over the last few seasons.
