Good vibes in Vegas as Illini take part in Big Ten Media Days

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LAS VEGAS — The Illinois football team might consider themselves high rollers now—and not just because head coach Bret Bielema and three of the team’s leaders are spending their week in Las Vegas for Big Ten Media days.

The Illini won 10 games just seven months ago, capped with a season-defining win in the Citrus Bowl over South Carolina. With the success... has come the hype. Potential playoff hopefuls, All American possibilities on both sides of the ball and a quarterback who is starting his third

season in the same offense as he is quietly picking up dark horse Heisman contention.

Luke Altmyer, offensive lineman J.C. Davis, and All-Big Ten corner back Xavier Scott were chosen by Bielema to make the trip to Sin City and represent the Orange and Blue. This year is different than others however. The amount of hype and norietity surrounding the program during the preseason is the most in the internet era.

Altmyer Returns

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It is no secret that Altmyer was a hot candidate for other college programs following his productive 2024 season.

After announcing his return during a basketball game in December, there were still schools allegedly reaching out to the gunslinger for his talents.

“There were a lot of avenues that I could have went,” Altmyer said. “I just wanted to do the right thing throughout this whole process.”

A couple factors led to Altmyer’s decision to return. He was going to be in his third year of Barry Lunney Jr.’s offense. He was returning a majority of his offensive line, and he has a three headed monster in the backfield to alleviate pressure from him.

All of the contributing factors have led Altmyer to believe he is where he is supposed to be. Last time the Illini had a quarterback of his caliber, with the talent surrounding him (sorry Nathan Scheelhaase’s 2012-13 teams) was Juice Williams back in 2007, the year the Illini made a trip to Pasadena.

If Altmyer can find a way to take another step forward this season, there is a chance he can lead the Illini on a heralded playoff run.

“I am in the right spot, around the best people in the world, who help bring out the best in me from a football perspective.”

J.C. Davis Gets One More Year

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J.C. Davis is one of the most talented football players on the Illini’s roster. On top of his talent, he is also one of the most experienced stars in Orange and Blue, registering 37 career starts. He will now get a chance to add on that number, something which was not always a certainty.

A ruling allowed Davis to get one more, not counting the time he spent playing JUCO ball against his eligibility. The second the ruling took place, Bielema hopped on a plane to get his quarterback’s blind side protector back for another run.

“It showed a lot. He really wanted me,” Davis said. “That was a big decision of me coming [back]. He came to see me and that meant a lot to me. It showed how much he cared and how much the team cared about me.”

The anchor of the offensive line returning means one thing, Illinois can continue to play Bret Bielema football. Running the football with a hardnosed edge, and that O-line leading the charge is expected to be even better than last year.

“We have so much growth, because last year we were all trying to figure each other out.” Davis said. “But this year we are molding, and we can play more together. We are hoping to sharpen it up and make it better than what it was.”

Viva Las Vegas

And with football being the forefront of the conversation this week, Coach Bielema made sure that he and the boys could still have a good time.

In fact, Vegas holds a very special place in the head coach’s heart.

“My wife and I met here in 2008 in the Wynn Casino,” Bielema said. “We went back yesterday and was able to reenact the moment.”

And while he and Mrs. Bielema are enjoying theirselves, he is making sure his players are doing the same.

“It’s been fun, Coach B has made it fun for us,” Altmyer said. “Lot of good people that came with us. Some good dinners and a good time. Coach B is always gonna treat us right.”