The Illinois Fighting Illini and head coach Bret Bielema will begin life post-Luke Altmyer this coming season with myriad challenges on the horizon, including the search for a new starter.

Former Michigan State Spartans and East Carolina Pirates starter Katin Houser is expected to be the front runner for the starting gig coming off of an explosive performance for the Pirates last season. 

According to Sports Illustrated writer Matt de Lima, Houser has the inside track to the starting job, and has the talent to extend an important streak for Bielema's group. 

Houser was named the Fighting Illini's most important transfer player and one of the most important in the Big Ten by de Lima coming off of a 3,300-yard passing season.

De Lima cautioned that there is a gaping hole at the most important position for the Illini but acknowledged that Hauser has a chance to fill it well. 

"Quarterback Luke Altmyer graduated after leading Illinois to back-to-back bowl wins over SEC competition, leaving head coach Bret Bielema with a void at the most important position on the roster." 

Altmyer threw for over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns with five interceptions last season.

Houser has plenty of weapons to work with on the 2026 Illini team and the talent to maximize them according to the SI writer. 

"Houser threw for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns at East Carolina last season while completing 65.9% of his passes," de Lima said. 

"He gives Illinois a dual-threat signal-caller capable of extending the program's (two-game) bowl streak." 

Houser's return to the Big Ten Conference will coincide with the additions of several new transfer QBs who all have a chance to start for their respective teams.

De Lima named five other Big Ten signal-callers as potential impact players.

They are: Josh Hoover (TCU) of the Indiana Hoosiers, Anthony Colandrea (UNLV) of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Aidan Chiles (Michigan State) of the Northwestern Wildcats, Rocco Becht (Iowa State) of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Dylan Lonergan (Boston College) of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. 

Of those, Hoover's addition might be the most heavily scrutinized. The former TCU star is closing in on 10,000 career passing yards but has big shoes to fill as he waits in the wings to replace former Heisman Trophy winner and top NFL Draft choice Fernando Mendoza, now with the Las Vegas Raiders. 

This year's Big Ten transfers might be the best in the portal era, and Houser's revitalized 2025 performance is a strong indicator that he is ready to take his career to the next level.

With Bielema and Altmyer's longtime QB coach Barry Lunney Jr. at the controls, Houser has a chance to pick up right where the former Illini star left off and lead Illinois to another high tier bowl game.