How Katin Houser fits as Illinois’ QB1

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - APRIL 17: Katin Houser #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini participates in spring practice at Geis Memorial Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images for ONIT) | Getty Images for ONIT This football season, the Illini will have a new face under the center in Katin Houser. The Anaheim, California native comes to Illinois by way of East Carolina via Michigan State.

At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, he has good size for a Big Ten quarterback. He is good in the pocket with a real ability to scramble and move or run off the option. Trending upward Houser had some struggles in East Lansing, playing 13 games over two years (he started in seven as a redshirt-freshman), posting a 58.

5% completion rate (113 completions in 193 attempts), six touchdowns, and five interceptions. After leaving Michigan State, Houser has grown and developed in his two years at East Carolina, putting up impressive stats: 5,306 yards, a 64% completion rate, 37 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Last season was his “breakout year”: 3,300 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and only six interceptions (down from 11 interceptions the year before).

In terms of his ability to run, he ran for 193 yards on 85 carries for nine touchdowns and a passer rating of 146. 3. As a comparison, last season Luke Altmyer’s numbers were 246-365 (67.