Aug. 27—CHAMPAIGN — Ask any Illinois fan: What is the strength of the 2025 team? Dollars to donuts, their answer will be “quarterback Luke Altmyer.”
It’s a logical response. He’s a third-year starter, first-time captain and face of the program. Check out his TV ads.
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But, no offense to Mississippi transfer Altmyer, that answer is incorrect.
For Altmyer’s sake — and that of the program’s hoped-for success — the right answer is the “offensive line.”
Altmyer certainly believes it. He is part of the weekly offensive line dinners that challenge the food supply at local establishments. These are big guys who can put a dent into even the most well-stocked kitchen.
The players take turns paying (aah, the beauty of revenue sharing and name, image and likeness). It isn’t always on the quarterback, though Altmyer properly participates.
They go out two days before the next game. If they win, they return to the same restaurant the next week. If they lose, time for a new spot.
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The starters often take care of the bill for the early meals. They know the drills, all of them are returning: tackles J.C. Davis and Melvin Priestly, guards Josh Gesky and Brandon Henderson and center Josh Kreutz.
Fourth-year offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. is happy to have the group on his side.
“This is the most experience that we’ve had returning, and it’s good experience,” Lunney said. “Sometimes, experience is not all that valuable when it’s not good experience.
“And I like some of the new faces we’ve added. I feel better about our depth than I’ve felt in some time. Coach (Bret Bielema) echoes that and so does (line coach) Bart (Miller.) I think we’re in a good spot there. I do like the mentality of that group, the way they work in practice.”
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Building an offense starts up front. Always has. Always will. Even the most talented quarterback can’t throw from his back.
“The more unity they have and togetherness that they play with,” Lunney said, “I think that matters.”
Providing a push
Late in the 2024 season, the line powered the run game in wins against Rutgers, Northwestern and lastly South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl.
With all five line starters, Altmyer and three top running backs in Kaden Feagin, Aidan Laughery and Ca’Lil Valentine returning, Lunney wants the successful streak to continue.
“Obviously, with a lot of the nucleus back, it should take a step forward,” he said. “That’s a challenge of ours. It won’t be easy. Running the football is hard. But our guys, I really like their mentality, their attitude. Now, it’s time to go put that in action.
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“Our football team best operates the most effectively and efficiently when we run the football. Our entire team. That’s always going to be a staple of what we believe in.”
Name game
The Joshes (Gesky and Kreutz) have grown into their current roles in the middle of the line.
“They have a great rapport,” Lunney said. “When you play next to somebody that long, you develop a pretty strong bond. They’ve done a great job of leading us.”
And they have gotten better.
“Gesky’s playing the best football he’s played since he’s been here. It’s not even close,” Lunney said. “And Kreutz is just the captain of that team, that offense. He just directs the traffic and he communicates. I’m honored to be able to coach those guys. Among countless others on this team, those two in particular stand for everything good in this business.”
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Gesky appreciates the kind words.
“It helps a lot to hear that he has confidence in us because I have confidence in him,” Gesky said. “It’s a two-way street. He trusts me more and I trust him more.”
The 2025 Illinois football team enters the season ranked No. 12. Gesky isn’t thinking about it.
“We’re offensive linemen,” he said. “You only get criticism when you lose. Rankings don’t help you win.”
But there is one football-adjacent topic that interests Gesky: the Joe Moore Award.
Named in honor to the late, longtime blocking guru, the Moore Award goes to the nation’s best offensive line. As a unit. Army won it in 2024. Four current Big Ten have been honored since its debut in 2015.
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“It would be awesome to win the Joe Moore,” Gesky said. “It’s obviously a goal. It’s a goal for every offensive line. Everyone wants it. You’ve got to take it day by day, though.”
Steady voice
When Lunney took over the Illinois offense before the 2022 season, the line coach was already in place.
Like defensive coordinator Aaron Henry and defensive line coach Terrance Jamison, Miller is part of Bielema’s original Illinois staff.
“Bart does a great job,” Lunney said. “He takes an incredible amount of pride into the work of the O-line and the mentality of an O-lineman and the journey of an O-lineman. He lived it.”
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Gesky is a Miller fan. Good thing since Miller is the only offensive line coach Gesky has played for in C-U.
“He’s been a great coach. He’s had my back the entire time,” Gesky said. “When I’m in the room, I’m always being coached to be better.”
Miller isn’t alone with the offensive lineman, joined by position assistants Byron Bell and Blake Smithback.
“It’s a three-headed team that really pours into those guys, fundamentally, film, socially,” Lunney said. “It’s a pretty impressive deal.”
