Get to Know Your Orange Man: #13, QB Tommy DeVito

Name: Tommy DeVito

Position: Quarterback

Year: (Redshirt) Junior

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 221 lbs.

Hometown: Cedar Grove, N.J.

High School: Don Bosco Prep

2019 stats: In 11 starts for the Syracuse Orange, DeVito threw for 2,360 yards and 19 scores, while running for another 122 yards and two touchdowns — the latter despite being sacked over 40 times on the year. Tommy threw five interceptions on the season, but none after September. He completed 63.2% of his passes for the year, and had five different games where he threw for 250 or more yards (also had six starts where he threw for less than 200, however).

2020 projections: The hope is that with a better offensive line in front of him (the group that closed last year was a major improvement over what we saw for the first three quarters of the season), he’ll have more time to go through his progressions, make better decisions and avoid staring down targets. He’s a great downfield passer when routes can develop, so that should make for some bigger plays in 2020. Expect last year’s counting stats to improve (relative to the number of games SU ends up playing) even if accuracy takes a dip and he potentially throws a couple more picks.

How’d he get here?: Syracuse was in on DeVito early, getting a commitment before he impressed evaluators at Elite 11. That led to an upgraded recruiting profile and offers from teams like Texas A&M and Washington State (along with existing overtures from Boston College, Rutgers and Wake Forest), but Tommy opted to stick with the Orange.

What’d recruiting sites say?: 247 and ESPN were astute and gave him three stars, while ESPN rated him a top-300 player for the class. Rivals said three stars, which... whatever.

Money quote: Of course, Dino arrives with a movie reference while discussing his quarterback. From Syracuse.com —

“I told him the other day, I said, ‘I want you to be the guy that was driving the Ford in ‘Ford vs Ferrari.’ We want you to know everything there is to know about this offense, and we want you to be aggressive. You’re in search for the perfect lap. You’re in search for the perfect game, the perfect throw, the perfect quarter. And we want to be aggressive in everything we do until it’s time not to be aggressive.”

Twitter feed: @tommydevito007

Tweets of wonder: DeVito’s going to snap away half of the defensive backs in the ACC.

What movie would Dino recommend for him?: We’ve leaned on characters named Tommy DeVito for the last few years, so mixing it up this time, we opt for 1987’s “Throw Momma From the Train,” featuring Danny DeVito. DeVito (Owen) and Billy Crystal (Larry) agree to commit murders for one another, dark comedy ensues. There’s a good chance current college students have never heard of this movie.

Interesting nugget o’interest: This past season, DeVito was the only QB in the country with multiple TDs on throws of 50 or more yards downfield, in case you wanted more proof of his arm strength.

Let’s get a look at ya: I think you’re at least halfway decent if Stadium or any other legitimate outlet is putting together season highlight reels for you.