Chambana Sun

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer has been named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, which recognizes the top college quarterback in the United States. The announcement was made by the Davey O'Brien Foundation on Wednesday.

The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is known as the oldest and most prestigious national award for college quarterbacks. Each year, it is given to one player considered to be the best at his position.

Altmyer is currently ranked among the leading quarterbacks nationwide in several key statistics. He stands sixth in passing efficiency with a rating of 165.0, tenth in completion percentage at 70 percent, seventeenth in touchdown passes with 19, and twenty-sixth in passing yards at 2,255. He has also contributed 108 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns this season.

Under Altmyer's leadership, Illinois holds a 6-3 record this season. One highlight was a close win over then-ranked #21 USC, where Altmyer accounted for 359 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns—one each via rushing and receiving, and two passing. This performance made him the first player since 2011 to record a rushing, receiving, and passing touchdown in a single Big Ten game.

Since joining Illinois in 2022, Altmyer has started games resulting in 20 wins for the team—the third-most victories by any Illinois quarterback. He ranks fifth all-time at Illinois with 54 career touchdown passes (two away from second place) and seventh in career passing yards with 6,855.

The next phase will see three finalists chosen based on votes from both the Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee and fan participation through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. "For the sixth straight year, fan voting on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) will earn players bonus selection committee votes. Second-round fan voting will begin immediately following the semifinalist announcement. To vote, fans must like the official graphic from the @daveyobrien social media account that highlights their favorite quarterback. The second round will close Friday, Nov. 21, at 11:59 p.m. (CT)." The three finalists are scheduled to be announced Tuesday, Nov. 25.

The winner of this year's award will be revealed live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards show on Friday, Dec. 12.

The annual awards dinner honoring this year's recipient is set for Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Davey O'Brien was a standout quarterback at TCU who became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy along with both Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards in one year (1938). He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.

Since its creation in 1977, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has awarded more than $1.4 million through scholarships and university grants supporting high school and college athletes' development as leaders both on and off the field.

A full list of semifinalists includes Luke Altmyer of Illinois alongside quarterbacks from programs such as BYU, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, USC and others.

More information about the award can be found at www.daveyobrienaward.com.