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Tommy DeVito (American football)

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Tommy DeVito
refer to caption
DeVito with the Syracuse Orange in 2019
No. 15 – New York Giants
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1998-08-07) August 7, 1998 (age 26)
Livingston, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, New Jersey)
College:
Undrafted:2023
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 14, 2024
Passing attempts:209
Passing completions:135
Completion percentage:64.6%
TD–INT:8–3
Passing yards:1,290
Passer rating:88.4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Thomas N. DeVito (born August 7, 1998) is an American professional football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played five seasons of college football for the Syracuse Orange and one with the Illinois Fighting Illini before signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

Early life

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Born in Livingston, New Jersey,[1] DeVito grew up in nearby Cedar Grove and attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School.[2] He was named first team All-State by MSG and second team All-Metro after passing for 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns in his junior season as the Ironmen went 9–3 and won the Non-Public 4 state championship.[3] Following his junior year, DeVito competed in the Elite 11 quarterback competition and was named a finalist.[4][5] As a senior, he passed for 2,005 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions and played in the Under Armour All-American Game.[6][7][8] DeVito committed to play college football at Syracuse at the end of his junior year.[9]

College career

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Syracuse

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2018 season

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DeVito redshirted his true freshman season. He served mostly as the backup to starting quarterback Eric Dungey as a redshirt freshman, playing in eight games off the bench and completing 44 of 87 passes for 525 yards and four touchdowns.[10][11] DeVito's first significant action came on September 15, 2018, against the Florida State Seminoles, entering the game after Dungey suffered an injury and completing 11 of 16 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a touchdown as the Orange won 30–7.[12] DeVito again played in relief of an injured Dungey on October 10 against the North Carolina Tar Heels, and he led Syracuse to a 40–37 win in double overtime, throwing for 181 yards with three touchdowns and one interception on 11-for-19 passing.[13][14]

2019 season

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As a redshirt sophomore, DeVito passed for 2,360 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns.[15][16] He passed for a career-high 330 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 63–20 loss to the Maryland Terrapins.[17]

2020 season

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In 2020, DeVito completed 48-of-96 pass attempts for 593 yards and four touchdowns through the first four games of the season before suffering a season-ending leg injury against Duke.[18]

2021 season

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Entering his fifth year at Syracuse, all with Babers as head coach, DeVito was compared to a franchise quarterback for Syracuse with the two having an intimate and trusting relationship.[19] DeVito began his redshirt senior season as Syracuse's starter, but coach Dino Babers also planned to give meaningful playing time to Garrett Shrader, a dual-threat quarterback who had transferred in from Mississippi State University.[20]

DeVito played most of the season opener against the Ohio Bobcats, a 29-9 win, completing 11 of 17 passes for 92 yards and added 47 yards and a touchdown on the ground.[21][22] The following week, Syracuse lost the home opener against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 17–7, with DeVito completing 15 of 25 passing attempts for 149 yards and one interception, five sacks, and one fumble, in split time with Shrader.[23] DeVito mentioned in a postgame interview he knew Babers planned to play both quarterbacks during the game.[24] Babers also told the media both quarterbacks would play in the third game against the Albany Great Danes; and that he planned to make a final decision on the starter based on that game.[25][26] DeVito was defiant in a press conference before the Albany game, responding, "I've done exactly what I've needed to" when asked if he thought he had earned the starting spot, while also describing how defenses had caught onto the run-pass option (RPO) offense Syracuse was running, and thus it had become a more difficult system to run in the years since Jimmy Garoppolo ran the offense for Babers at Eastern Illinois University to great success.[27]

DeVito entered the NCAA transfer portal six weeks into the season.[28]

Illinois

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DeVito ultimately transferred to Illinois.[29] He was named the Fighting Illini's starting quarterback during fall practices.[30] On October 1, against the Wisconsin Badgers, DeVito had three rushing touchdowns in the 34–10 victory.[31] In the 2022 season, DeVito passed for 2,650 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions to go along with six rushing touchdowns.[32] DeVito sought a waiver for an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA to play another season at Illinois, but was denied.[33]

College statistics

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Season Games Passing Rushing
GP Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
Syracuse Orange
2017 DNP
2018 7 — 44 87 50.6 525 6.0 4 3 109.5 23 -17 -0.7 1
2019 12 4–7 213 337 63.2 2,360 7.0 19 5 137.7 112 122 1.1 2
2020 4 1–3 48 96 50.0 593 6.2 4 2 111.5 43 23 0.5 0
2021 3 2–1 32 52 61.5 388 7.5 1 2 122.9 21 90 4.3 1
Illinois Fighting Illini
2022 13 8–5 257 369 69.6 2,650 7.2 15 4 141.2 73 35 0.5 6
Career 39 15−16 594 941 63.1 6,516 6.9 43 16 133.0 272 253 0.9 10

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m) 		210 lb
(95 kg) 		29+7⁄8 in
(0.76 m) 		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 4.66 s 1.63 s 2.71 s 4.36 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)		 9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)
All values from Pro Day[34]

2023 season

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DeVito was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023, shortly after the conclusion of the 2023 NFL draft.[35] DeVito was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.[36][37]

In Week 8, DeVito made his NFL debut on October 29, 2023, against the New York Jets, after an injury to second-string quarterback Tyrod Taylor. DeVito completed two out of seven pass attempts and was sacked twice, but scored the Giants' only touchdown on a six-yard run.[38] DeVito was signed to the Giants' active roster on October 31.[39] In Week 9, he entered the game against the Las Vegas Raiders in relief of an injured Daniel Jones and threw for 175 yards and his first NFL passing touchdown, but also had two interceptions.[40] In Week 10, DeVito was named the starting quarterback for the game against the Dallas Cowboys.[41] DeVito threw for 86 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in a 49–17 loss.[42] In Week 11, DeVito started against the Washington Commanders. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns but was sacked nine times. Despite the sacks, the Giants won 31–19, making DeVito the first winning quarterback to be sacked nine times or more in a game since 1992.[43] In Week 12, DeVito started in a 10–7 victory against the New England Patriots. He completed 17 passes in 25 attempts for 191 yards and threw a touchdown pass.[44]

Following their bye week, DeVito led the Giants to their third consecutive victory, defeating the Green Bay Packers 24–22. DeVito went 17 for 21 and 158 passing yards, throwing one touchdown with no interceptions, plus 71 rushing yards on 10 carries. Taking possession with about a minute and a half on the clock, DeVito went 4 for 4 driving his team down the field for the winning field goal by Randy Bullock as time expired. DeVito was named NFC offensive player of the week for his performance.[45] After losing 24–6 to the New Orleans Saints, DeVito was benched in favor of Taylor at halftime of the Giants' Week 16 game against the Philadelphia Eagles after completing nine of 16 passes for only 55 yards as the Giants trailed 20–3. Taylor was later named the starter for the remainder of the season.[46][47]

As the season progressed, DeVito quickly became a fan favorite, both for going from an undrafted third string rookie quarterback to leading an underachieving Giants team to some surprising success, and also for being openly proud of his Italian heritage. He was given the nickname "Tommy Cutlets" in reference to his Italian heritage and mentioning that he likes to eat his mother's chicken cutlets.[48] DeVito won the Bud Light Celebration of the Year Award at the 13th Annual NFL Honors.[49]

2024 season

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DeVito opened the season as the third-string quarterback behind Daniel Jones and Drew Lock.[50] After a 2–8 start to the season, the Giants benched Jones on November 18 in favor of DeVito.[51] In his season debut on November 24 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DeVito went 21 of 31 for 189 yards and zero touchdowns as the Giants lost 30–7. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield also mocked DeVito by mimicking his Italian hand gesture celebration after he scored a touchdown to end the first half.[52] DeVito sustained a forearm injury during their loss to the Buccaneers, which sidelined him for the Giants' Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys.[53][54]

NFL career statistics

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Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Y/A Lng TD Sck Yds Fum Lost
2023 NYG 9 6 3−3 114 178 64.0 1,101 6.2 41 8 3 89.2 36 195 5.4 26 1 37 196 2 1
2024 NYG 2 1 0−1 21 31 67.7 189 6.1 23 0 0 83.9 7 32 4.6 17 0 4 23 0 0
Career 11 7 3−4 135 209 64.6 1,290 6.2 41 8 3 88.4 43 227 5.3 26 1 41 219 2 1

Personal life

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Due to the close proximity of his parents’ home to the Giants' facilities, DeVito elected to live with them during his rookie season.[55]

References

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  1. ^ Werner, Barry (December 12, 2023). "5 facts to know about Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  2. ^ Guarin-Camargo, Juan Pablo (August 18, 2019). "DeVito Feels Strong Connection to Home State". 247Sports.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  3. ^ Gewelb, Zach (May 16, 2016). "Cedar Grove resident, Don Bosco QB commits to Syracuse". Verona-Cedar Grove Times. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  4. ^ Donohue, Tyler (June 29, 2016). "How the Most Underrated QB Fought His Way to Elite 11". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  5. ^ Bailey, Stephen (October 25, 2018). "How Syracuse QB Tommy DeVito gained 'effortless power' to become elite deep passer". The Post-Standard. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Bailey, Stephen (April 18, 2016). "Syracuse football QB commit Tommy DeVito hooked by Dino Babers' offense; ready to recruit". The Post-Standard. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  7. ^ Jordan, Jason (November 8, 2016). "Under Armour All-American QB Tommy DeVito has eyes on N.J. state title repeat". USATodayHSS.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  8. ^ Callaway, Kate (August 28, 2019). "DeVito Eager to Take Center Stage". BayNews9.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  9. ^ Hunt, Todderick (June 6, 2016). "Analyzing Tommy Devito's road to becoming a 2016 Elite 11 quarterback". NJ.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  10. ^ Johnson, Stevie (August 27, 2019). "Syracuse QB Tommy DeVito primed for breakout season". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  11. ^ Burrows, Ben (August 14, 2019). "Tommy DeVito, Syracuse in bottom half of starting QB rankings for 2019 by PFF". The Post-Standard. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Kekis, John (September 15, 2018). "Syracuse beats Florida State 30–7 behind DeVito". Associated Press. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  13. ^ Kekis, John (October 23, 2018). "Quarterback controversy? Not so, says Syracuse coach". National Post. Associated Press. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Bailey, Stephen (October 21, 2018). "Syracuse football: Dino Babers should start Tommy DeVito". The Post-Standard. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Wall, Kevin (January 23, 2020). "Tommy DeVito's 2019 season compared to previous Syracuse quarterbacks". NunesMagician.com. SB Nation. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  16. ^ Johnson, Stevie (December 6, 2019). "Syracuse football: 4 offseason questions after SU's dismal 2019". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  17. ^ "Maryland steamrolls No. 21 Syracuse". Reuters. September 7, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Adelson, Andrea (October 10, 2020). "Syracuse coach Dino Babers says injury to QB Tommy DeVito 'not good'". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  19. ^ Mink, Nate (September 2, 2021). "For Tommy DeVito and Dino Babers, five years of trust comes down to one season". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, NY: Advance Publications. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  20. ^ Mink, Nate (August 25, 2021). "Babers Commits to Using 2 Quarterbacks". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, NY: Advance Publications. pp. B1–B2. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  21. ^ "Tucker runs for 181 yards as Syracuse rolls past Ohio 29-9". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 4, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  22. ^ Mink, Nate (March 6, 2023) [September 5, 2021]. "Tommy DeVito didn't need to air it out at Ohio. That could change vs. Rutgers (stock watch)". The Post-Standard. Advance Publications. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  23. ^ Frank, Mark (September 11, 2021). "Rutgers takes advantage of Syracuse miscues, wins 17-7". Associated Press. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  24. ^ McCarthy, Katelyn (September 12, 2021). "Tommy DeVito Post Game Press Conference". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  25. ^ Curtis, Mike (March 6, 2023) [September 16, 2021]. "Syracuse coach Dino Babers on quarterback battle: After this game, we're gonna have to decide". The Post-Standard. Advance Publications. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  26. ^ Kekis, John (September 14, 2021). "Syracuse season hits early skid after loss to Rutgers". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  27. ^ Mink, Nate (March 6, 2023) [September 15, 2021]. "DeVito: I've done what I've needed to be the starter QB was defiant when asked if he's disappointed in his performance so far this season". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, NY. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  28. ^ Curtis, Mike (October 18, 2021). "Dino Babers on Tommy DeVito's decision to enter transfer portal: 'We envisioned a certain type of ending'". The Post-Standard. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  29. ^ Richey, Scott (December 10, 2021). "Illini add Syracuse transfer QB". The News-Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  30. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (August 25, 2022). "Illinois names Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito as starting QB". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  31. ^ "Illinois at Wisconsin Box Score, October 1, 2022". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  32. ^ "Tommy DeVito 2022 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  33. ^ "Tommy DeVito, Illinois QB, confirms status for 2023". Saturday Tradition. December 28, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  34. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Tommy DeVito College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  35. ^ Leiker, Emily (April 29, 2023). "Ex-Syracuse QB Tommy DeVito will return to East Coast after signing as a free agent with New York Giants (report)". The Post-Standard. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  36. ^ Eisen, Michael (August 29, 2023). "Giants announce 53-man roster for 2023". Giants.com. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  37. ^ Eisen, Michael (August 30, 2023). "Giants sign 12 players to practice squad". Giants.com. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  38. ^ "Jets get ugly win over Giants in overtime; former Syracuse QB Tommy DeVito sees action". Syracuse.com. The Associated Press. October 29, 2023. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  39. ^ Eisen, Michael (October 31, 2023). "Giants sign Matt Barkley to practice squad, Tommy DeVito to active roster". New York Giants. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  40. ^ Eisen, Michael (November 6, 2023). "Notes & Stats: Giants vs. Raiders Recap". Giants.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  41. ^ Epstein, Jori (November 9, 2023). "Giants' QB outlook cloudy as Daniel Jones awaits surgery, undrafted rookie gets nod and rich 2024 draft looms". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  42. ^ "Cowboys 49-17 Giants (Nov 12, 2023) Game Recap". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  43. ^ Raanan, Jordan (November 19, 2023). "DeVito tosses 3 TDs, sparks Giants in record day". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  44. ^ "Giants edge Patriots and their woeful quarterbacks 10-7, aided by late missed field goal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 26, 2023. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  45. ^ David Smith, Michael (December 13, 2023). "Tommy DeVito named NFC offensive player of the week". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  46. ^ Schwartz, Paul (December 27, 2023). "Giants bench Tommy DeVito for Tyrod Taylor". nypost.com. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  47. ^ Alper, Josh (January 3, 2024). "Giants will stick with Tyrod Taylor for Week 18". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  48. ^ Sutelan, Edward (December 12, 2023). "Tommy DeVito nickname: Why Giants QB is called 'Tommy Cutlets' as latest Tri-State Italian icon". sportingnews.com. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  49. ^ Traina, Patricia (February 8, 2024). "Tommy DeVito Wins the "Bud Light Celebration of the Year" Award at NFL Honors". Sports Illustrated New York Giants News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  50. ^ Raanan, Jordan (November 18, 2024). "Daniel Jones demoted to 3rd-string QB as Giants turn to Tommy DeVito". ESPN. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  51. ^ Gordon, Grant (November 18, 2024). "Giants bench QB Daniel Jones amid 2-8 start to season; Tommy DeVito to start vs. Buccaneers". NFL.com. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  52. ^ Schwartz, Paul (November 24, 2024). "Giants look just as awful with Tommy DeVito in humiliating loss". Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  53. ^ Raanan, Jordan (November 28, 2024). "Sources: Giants QB Tommy DeVito expected out vs. Cowboys". ESPN. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  54. ^ Salomone, Dan (November 28, 2024). "NFL Week 13 Inactives: Who's in, who's out for Giants at Cowboys". Giants.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  55. ^ Raanan, Jordan (November 11, 2023). "'Genius!' Why living with his parents makes sense for Giants QB Tommy DeVito". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
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