Former Illinois Quarterback Sets a Record

Former Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito throws three touchdown passes for the Giants.

Illinois standout quarterback Tommy DeVito has quite the knack for taking advantage of opportunities. After an up-and-down career at Syracuse, DeVito transferred to Illinois. While in Champaign, DeVito led the Illini to its best regular season since 2007, throwing 15 touchdowns.

DeVito signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent and has proven that he belongs. “For me, even the game where [it was] the first game he got in, he might have not thrown the ball that much, [but] just the confidence he came in with. The swagger that he has. I thought it goes a long way, especially with me,” Saquan Barkley said. “I’m familiar with that going back to college [at Penn State] playing with a guy like Trace McSorley. Kind of has that same mentality. You can see it, and it shows when he goes out there and plays.”

DeVito’s three touchdown passes give him five in two starts, a Giants’ record. The New Jersey native threw two touchdown passes to running back Saquan Barkley and another to receiver Darius Slayton. He finished the game with 246 yards and three touchdowns. Not bad, considering he was sacked nine times this afternoon.

Not only is DeVito playing for his hometown team, but he is living at home with his parents while doing so. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is slated to return on December 11th. However, if DeVito continues to play well, head coach Bryan Daboll could stick with the hot hand.

Thank you for reading Armchair Illini. For more Illinois Athletics and Big Ten content from Armchair Illini, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at [email protected]. Please use our Seatgeek code for 20$ off your purchase on Seatgeek.com: ARMCHAIRILLINOIS. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing Illinois media outlets around!