Tommy DeVito signs with Giants as undrafted free agent

After a really profitable yr at Illinois, Tommy DeVito is now a Big.

As soon as he was denied the waiver to play at Illinois for yet another yr, DeVito declared for the NFL Draft. Regardless of going undrafted, the New Jersey native was signed by the Giants on Saturday afternoon.

After three years at Syracuse, DeVito transferred to Illinois and led its run-heavy offense to this system’s first profitable report and Prime-25 rating since 2011. Though a lot of the highlight was on the nation’s main rusher Chase Brown and finest scoring protection, DeVito had the very best season of his faculty profession.

The Giants will probably be getting a key attribute from the Illini sign caller that each skilled quarterback wants: constant effectivity. In 2022, he was one of the vital environment friendly QBs within the nation, rating fourth in completion proportion (69.6%).

The run-heavy scheme prevented him from persistently racking up huge numbers, however DeVito nonetheless threw for two,650 yards, 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions on the season. He additionally added six dashing touchdowns, three of which got here at Wisconsin.

His largest spotlight of the season included 332 passing yards and three TDs in solely three quarters in opposition to Chattanooga, along with his most effective efficiency coming at Nebraska, the place he accomplished 20-of-22 passes for 179 yards and a couple of TDs. A lot of these numbers with effectivity hadn’t been seen from an Illinois QB for fairly a while.

One other considered one of DeVito’s largest strengths is avoiding errors. His 4 interceptions have been sixth lowest amongst QBs within the nation (min. 200 passing att.), whereas he additionally ranked prime 10 in interception proportion (1.1% of throws have been interceptions).

Regardless of avoiding the errors, DeVito’s passing assault in OC Barry Lunney Jr.’s system didn’t make the most of the deep ball a lot. He usually had eyes for the first-down chains, which — mixed with Brown’s excessive utilization on the bottom — led to lengthy, methodical drives into the pink zone.

Due to this play model, DeVito’s explosive capabilities weren’t examined a lot at Illinois. His 10.31 passing yards per completion final season ranked a centesimal within the nation.

Nonetheless, the yr at Illinois provides to his expertise in a big-play Syracuse offense for 3 years, which provides him intensive data of two very completely different offensive techniques.

His mentality can be price noting. Whereas faculty athletes opting out of bowl video games has grow to be normalcy, DeVito had different concepts earlier than the Illini’s bowl recreation in January.

DeVito is without doubt one of the older gamers coming into the draft at 24 years outdated, and with the age comes expertise. The Giants can have an athlete who possesses data of various offensive techniques, a capability to be explosive and environment friendly, and the eagerness and management wanted to command a workforce on the skilled stage.