Can't Wait For Saturday Illinois' new quarterback Houser earning positive notice

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Apr. 8—***

As the college basketball transfer portal opens, The Athletic's Manny Navarro ranked the best football transfers moving from the Group of Six to the Power Four.

And a familiar name made the cut: new Illinois quarterback Katin Houser, who arrived from East Carolina.

Houser, who is expected to take over for three-year starter Luke Altmyer on Bret Bielema's team, is listed at No. 14 among the Top 20.

Of Houser, the author wrote: "Houser has settled in nicely in Champaign as Luke Altmyer's replacement. He went 13-6 as a starter at East Carolina, but was only 2-5 in seven starts at Michigan State in 2023.

"Last season, he completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns and only six interceptions while also rushing for 193 yards and nine scores."

Houser is one of only five Big Ten players to make the list, joining Nebraska linebacker Owen Chambliss (San Diego State), UCLA defensive end Sahir West (James Madison), Nebraska's Anthony Colandrea (UNLV) and Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (Old Dominion).

Houser is one of the four quarterbacks ranked along with Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker (North Texas), Auburn Byrum Brown (who followed Alex Golesh from South Florida) and Colandrea.

The author added a 10 more to watch list that included Washington offensive tackle Kolt Dieterich (Sam Houston State) and Washington receiver Christian Moss (Kennesaw State).

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