Big Ten QB Urges College Football Players to 'Eliminate' Ego

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer advocates for team-first mentality amid NIL era

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer recently spoke out against the growing culture of selfishness and ego in college football, urging players to prioritize the team over individual interests. Altmyer, a transfer from Ole Miss, has experienced the temptation of the transfer portal and lucrative NIL deals, but chose to stay at Illinois and lead the Illini to a successful season. He cautioned that players must "eliminate... the ego" and remember that "football's the greatest team sport in the land."

Why it matters

Altmyer's comments highlight a growing divide in college football between the old-school emphasis on team unity and the new-school culture of instant gratification and individual gain. As the NIL era continues to reshape the landscape, Altmyer's message serves as a reminder that maintaining a team-first mentality is crucial for long-term success and fulfillment.

The details

Altmyer, who transferred from Ole Miss to Illinois after seeing limited playing time, has experienced firsthand the temptation of the transfer portal and lucrative NIL deals. However, he chose to stay at Illinois and led the Illini to another solid season, passing for 3,007 yards and 22 touchdowns. Altmyer believes that "with all the dollars that are in place now and all the cultures and traditions that are trying to get you to come play for them, it was crazy," but he "wanted to be a part of a program that was bigger than myself."

  • Altmyer transferred to Illinois after the 2022 season.
  • In 2023, Altmyer saw his stock rise steadily, throwing for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns.
  • In 2024, Altmyer led the Illini to another solid season, passing for 3,007 yards and 22 scores.

The players

Luke Altmyer

The starting quarterback for the University of Illinois, who previously played at Ole Miss. Altmyer has advocated for a team-first mentality in college football, urging players to "eliminate... the ego" and remember that "football's the greatest team sport in the land."

Demond Williams

The starting quarterback for the University of Washington, who briefly planned to enter the transfer portal before ultimately returning to the team. Williams has admitted that he made a mistake based on bad advice.

Nico Iamaleava

The former Tennessee quarterback who became embroiled in an NIL dispute with the university and ultimately left to play at UCLA, where he had a difficult season.

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What they’re saying

“It's so easy to be selfish. We forget that football's the greatest team sport in the land. Without the team, without the people around you, you're pretty broken.... I think eliminating... the ego is the No. 1 priority... in this realm of college football today.”

— Luke Altmyer, Illinois Quarterback (On3Sports)

“With all the dollars that are in place now and all the cultures and traditions that are trying to get you to come play for them, it was crazy. I wanted to be a part of a program that was bigger than myself.”

— Luke Altmyer, Illinois Quarterback (On3Sports)

What’s next

Altmyer is now preparing for a crack at the NFL, but his message of respecting the team concept and not becoming a profiteer could have a lasting impact on the college football landscape.

The takeaway

Altmyer's comments serve as a powerful reminder that maintaining a team-first mentality is crucial for long-term success and fulfillment in the ever-changing world of college football, even as the NIL era continues to reshape the landscape.