The New York Giants found themselves in a rather unfortunate situation against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Around halfway through the second quarter, veteran starter Tyrod Taylor — who was already filling in for an injured Daniel Jones — took a sack where he suffered a rib ailment. After further evaluation by Giants doctors, he’d make a visit to a local hospital and be ruled out for the rest of the game.
That meant Tommy DeVito, a 2023 undrafted free agent out of Illinois (and Syracuse), was forced to step in and try to lead the Giants against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Considering the challenging circumstances and his inexperience, DeVito did rather well by rushing in a touchdown to give Big Blue a lead:
Tommy DeVito 🙌
📺: @NFLonCBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/47Sh2QAkMt
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 29, 2023
Unfortunately for DeVito, the Giants would eventually lose 13-10 in overtime. At the time of this writing, it’s unclear how long Taylor (and Jones) will miss time for the Giants. That means DeVito could be featuring more significantly for New York in the coming weeks.
Here’s what you need to know about the young rookie quarterback.
1
DeVito is a New Jersey native, growing up close to the Giants
The 25-year-old DeVito grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, and played his high school football at Don Bosco Preparatory High School. The town of Livingston is just approximately 21 miles away from MetLife Stadium — the home of the Giants and Jets. It is unclear if DeVito was a Giants fan as a child but what a coincidence.
2
DeVito was a prolific high school quarterback
In high school, DeVito amassed an impressive list of accolades. He was First-Team All-State (by the MSG Network) en route to a state championship in his junior season. Afterward, he competed in the Elite 11 quarterback competition before committing to Syracuse before his 2016 senior season.
After DeVito’s senior year, he earned a place in the Under Armour All-American Game.
3
DeVito was a quietly efficient quarterback at Syracuse and Illinois
DeVito started the better part of three seasons with the Orange, throwing a career 28 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. He would later transfer to Illinois as a senior in 2022, helping guide the program to its best season at 8-5 since 2007. With an 80.9 passing grade per Pro Football Focus, DeVito finished as a top-five quarterback in the Big Ten by that metric.
4
DeVito joins an exclusive list of ex-Syracuse and Illinois QBs in the NFL
With his appearance against the Jets Sunday, DeVito is the first former Syracuse quarterback to play in an NFL game since Ryan Nassib — who ironically last featured for the Giants in 2015. Before that, Donovan McNab — a former Philadelphia Eagles great — might have been the only other notable Syracuse quarterbacking name.
Meanwhile, Illinois’s history of professional quarterbacks is even less illustrious. DeVito is the first former Illinois signal caller to see significant action in an NFL game since Jeff George started two games for the Washington Commanders in 2001.
That is … quite the history to keep.
5
No, he's NOT related to the famous actor, Danny DeVito
Yeah, they might have the same last name, but Tommy is assuredly not in the same family as the legendary actor and comedian. Tommy purely plays quarterback in a dangerous sport while DeVito continues to plug as one of the funniest people on the planet.
