If you’re counting out Luke Altmyer in Ole Miss football’s QB race, here’s why it’s a mistake
By Nick Suss, Clarion Ledger
Don’t forget about Luke Altmyer. Don’t ignore the sophomore from Starkville who came to Ole Miss as the Rebels’ highest-rated in-state quarterback recruit this century and spent the last year apprenticing under Matt Corral. Don’t mistake quiet composure for resignation to stay the backup.
“I believe in myself,” Altmyer said. “I really do. I understand the nature of the business. But I go to work every day with the belief that I can lead this team.”
Altmyer’s parents knew Luke was a special player when he was 7 years old. Altmyer set the city record for touchdown passes in a season playing in the 7- and 8-year-old league.
From there, Altmyer’s talent keep ascending. He picked the game up on his own. His dad played baseball and basketball at Mississippi College, but football found Altmyer. Mike Norvell, then the coach at Memphis, offered Altmyer a scholarship when he was a high school freshman. At that point, Altmyer didn’t have a personal quarterbacks coach or any of the other top-tier training most prospects receive.
It wasn’t until his sophomore year when former Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead linked Chad Altmyer with David Morris at QB Country, a nationally recognized training operation in Mobile, Alabama. Altmyer was high school friends with Moorhead’s son and Moorhead advised the Altmyers that Morris’ tutelage could help skyrocket their son’s potential.
“My wife took Luke down to David Morris and he worked out that day and I talked to David that night and he said ‘Man, you’ve got something here’ and I said ‘Really? He’s good?'” Chad Altmyer admits. “It kind of took me by surprise.”
Chad Altmyer said the emotion of observing his son’s achievements usually comes in three waves. First, there’s fear. Football is a scary sport for a parent. Second, there’s surprise: “Luke is really doing it. He’s good.” Then the third is the feeling of “duh.”