Looking closely at our UDFA quarterback Luke Altmyer. A comparison clicked for me: Case Keenum.
Think back to the guy who started ahead of Jared Goff in LA. Keenum and Altmyer are almost identical mirrors of each other:
The Frame: Both are right at 6’1" and ~215 lbs—constantly labeled as “undersized” by old-school scouts.
The Playstyle: Neither has a high-velocity cannon for an arm. Instead, they both rely heavily on anticipation, throwing with touch, and moving the chains through strict rhythm and timing.
The Mobility: Like Keenum, Altmyer isn’t a true dual-threat designed runner, but he has very active feet and uses his functional mobility to scramble, extend plays, and throw accurately on the move.
Obviously, Keenum played in a video-game “Air Raid” system at Houston so the raw college stats don’t match Altmyer’s pro-style Big Ten numbers, but the traits are there.
Personally, Altmyer’s high football IQ, accuracy, and anticipation are massive green flags for me. There is a common belief in draft circles that NFL coaches can just fix accuracy and teaching reads later if a guy is an elite athlete. But honestly, how often does a raw, elite athlete actually learn to process at an elite level? It rarely happens.
Having that processing foundation already built—especially while drinking from a firehose as a rookie—is a way better indicator of being NFL-ready than raw athleticism. Altmyer has the savvy, trusted-backup blueprint written all over him, just like Keenum did.
What do you guys think? Is Keenum a solid projection for Altmyer, or am I missing something?
For me, hoping PS this season and can battle for the backup spot next year. There is something about him I like, but I really don’t know what it is…….if that makes any sense
Saw a youtuber predict that Altmyer will win the backup job and the Lions would try to flip Teddy for a late pick to a QB needy club. He seemed quite convinced, and stranger things have happened I suppose.
I think the more realistic scenario is teddy joins the coaching staff in some capacity if he loses the backup job. I think Dan wants him on staff at some point.
I like the kid based on everything I’ve heard… Plus how inconsistent Bridgewater has been. Risdon said he’s already better than Hendon Hooker is right now… Which further highlights what a disappointment he was
I can’t recall having watched him at Illinois, but his numbers were pretty dang solid on a team that had to fight uphill. Seems he had a lot of good fourth quarter performances and not bad numbers at all.
Any illini around here to give their opinion? It would feel great to finally have something interesting at the backup qb spot again.
Teddy Hasn’t been playing very well in camp. I doubt he’s trade worthy. He’s going to need to show something in preseason games and if he does that we will keep him.
Luke is significantly more tooled up than Keenum. Less refined as a passer at the same stage though Case had less experience with pro style concepts so that may be a wash.
Part of me believes teddy is an anomaly in that he is ok coming out and working with the team and then, he simply packs it uo and goes home at the start of the regular season season and then is our emergency guy if needed to come back….
I can also see him willingly takes the PS slot and wanting Luke to have the back uo slot
