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Big Ten Roundup (Aug. 24): Illinois Names Starting QB, Colts Fielding Offers for Jonathan Taylor

The Illinois Fighting Illini and coach Bret Bielema have named Ole Miss transfer Luke Altmyer their starting quarterback for the 2023 season. Meanwhile, a former Big Ten player in Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor has dominated NFL headlines recently, as the Indianapolis Colts said they have given the star running back until Tuesday to find a suitable trade to another team.

Daniel Olinger

Big Ten Roundup (Aug. 24): Illinois Names Starting QB, Colts Fielding Offers for Jonathan Taylor
Big Ten Roundup (Aug. 24): Illinois Names Starting QB, Colts Fielding Offers for Jonathan Taylor /
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Not every Big Ten team is approaching its preseason quarterback battle like coach Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers. 

Illinois coach Bret Bielema came right out and said it on Monday morning — Luke Altmyer is going to be his starting quarterback. Once a four-star prospect committed to Ole Miss in the class of 2021, many had already tabbed Altmyer as Tommy DeVito's replacement in Champaign after transferring to Illinois, but it was finally made official this week. 

The news surrounding Jonathan Taylor doesn't necessarily impact the Big Ten in 2023, though the former Wisconsin star is currently the most pressing topic in the entire NFL. What started as a contract dispute between Taylor and Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay turned into Taylor issuing a trade request, and the Colts are now seeking to fulfill that request as they hear offers from other teams. 

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup: 

Luke Altmyer Named Starting QB at Illinois

Even though Altmyer has only thrown 54 passes in his entire collegiate career to this point, almost every football fan with a pulse knew he was beating out John Paddock for the starting job in Champaign. 

Altmyer was never going to beat out Jaxson Dart for the quarterback job down at Ole Miss. Additionally, when the Rebels brought in two more transfer QB's in Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard, the writing was on the wall. Coach Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss never intended to have Altmyer as their signal caller.

Thus, the Starkville, Miss., native found his way to Illinois, where Bielema and Co. were in desperate need of a new gunslinger following DeVito's departure. 

Altmyer only ever saw the field in Oxford nearing the end of blowout wins for the Rebels, and completed just 28 of his 54 career passes for 317 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He's certainly still a talented player for Illinois to work with, though getting him up to speed after having experienced veterans at quarterback in his first two years in Champaign might be a challenge for Bielema. 

Jonathan Taylor Update

Just six years ago, Taylor burst onto the scene at Wisconsin as an unstoppable freshman running back who nearly compiled 2,000 total yards in his first collegiate season.

Just two years ago, Taylor nearly won the NFL MVP after leading the league in rushing and scoring 20 touchdowns. 

But just three days ago on Aug. 21, Taylor was granted permission by the Indianapolis Colts to find a suitable trade offer, and now the franchise is giving the star RB until Tuesday, Aug. 29, to find a deal that works. 

According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, six teams have contacted the Colts in seeking a trade for Taylor, including the Miami Dolphins. 

Holder also said that the Colts are seeking a first round draft pick in return for Taylor, or at the very least, a package of multiple picks worth similar value. 

Even with as good as Taylor is, it's highly unlikely that any team sends Indianapolis a first round pick for his services. No running back has returned a first round pick in a trade since the Colts themselves sent a first round pick to the Cleveland Browns in 2013 for Trent Richardson. 

That deal was universally considered a catastrophe for the Colts, and the value of running backs across the NFL has only depreciated since then. 

Tuesday, Aug. 29, was set as the deadline for a Taylor trade for two reasons: 1) it's the day by which NFL teams are required to trim their rosters down to 53 players, and 2) it's the day by which the Colts must decided whether Taylor remains on the reserve-PUP (physically unable to perform) list moving forward. 

The Colts considered putting Taylor on the Non-Football Injury list for a rumored back injury, though Taylor himself tweeted in July that he did not have back pain and was not injured. 

It's a gigantic, messy situation that's been created by the Colts and a running back that was one of the greatest the Big Ten has ever seen. 

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Daniel Olinger
DANIEL OLINGER

Daniel Olinger is a Sports Illustrated/FanNation reporter for HoosiersNow.com. He graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in both journalism and economics. 

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