New York Giants (2-8) head coach Brian Daboll officially announced to the press that former Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito would be taking over the reins of the offense on Monday, Nov. 11. The decision thrusts the undrafted player back into the spotlight during a difficult season for the Giants.
The opportunity quickly emerged after first-string quarterback Daniel Jones struggled in Week 10. He threw for two interceptions and zero touchdowns against the Panthers in an overtime affair.
DeVito has already shown flashes of his game in the NFL. He started six games last year and led the Giants to a 3-3 record. During those games, he passed for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns but had a poor 24.3 quarterback rating.
DeVito’s resilient journey from Illinois to the NFL marks a significant milestone for the football program, adding another chapter to the school’s NFL quarterback legacy. In 2022, DeVito lit up Memorial Stadium after transferring from Syracuse, making an immediate impact that transformed the Illini offense.
DeVito threw for 2,650 yards and 15 touchdowns at an impressive completion percentage of 69.6%. His decisive play-making ability powered Illinois to an 8-5 record and a memorable ReliaQuest Bowl appearance against Mississippi State.
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Off the field, the New Jersey native has garnered a following among fans as they embrace not only his underdog story but his Italian-American heritage. His fanbase quickly began calling him “Tommy Cutlets” after his favorite dish, reflecting his evergrowing popularity in New York.
Heading into Week 12, the Giants will rely on DeVito to break the losing streak. They’ll face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), whose home stadium hosted DeVito for his final collegiate game.
