Illinois announces transfer addition of former Syracuse quarterback
Illinois has announced the addition of quarterback Tommy DeVito to their program. Prior, the quarterback spent four seasons with the Syracuse Orange.
“Welcome to the #famILLy, Tommy DeVito,” tweeted the program on Thursday.
Over his time at Syracuse, DeVito flashed potential in his opportunities. In four seasons, the former three-star recruit accumulated 3,866 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Additionally, DeVito added 169 yards and four touchdowns rushing the football.
After cutting his teeth with the Orange, DeVito will be joining Bret Bielema and company at Illinois. He’ll have a great chance at the starting job. Former Rutgers quarterback Art Sitkowski seems to be his stiffest competition.
Over the last two seasons, DeVito has dealt with multiple setbacks that hindered his play on the field. In 2021, DeVito missed almost the entire season due to injury. The year prior, the worldwide pandemic proved tough to play through for Syracuse.
Alas, DeVito’s last full season came in 2019. That year, the quarterback put up great numbers for the Orange — passing for 2,360 yards and 19 touchdowns.
As Tommy DeVito joins Illinois, the quarterback will be hoping to regain the form that made him an exciting prospect after 2019.
More on Tommy DeVito, Illinois Fighting Illini
Moreover, Tommy DeVito will have plenty of tools at his disposal, but perhaps none bigger than the new Fighting Illini offensive coordinator. To illustrate, Bret Bielema and Barry Lunney Jr. are reuniting at Illinois. Earlier this month, the program announced Lunney Jr. as the new offensive coordinator of the Fighting Illini.
“Barry Lunney Jr. has been named the Illinois football team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, head coach Bret Bielema announced,” wrote the program in the press release. “Lunney and Bielema will be reunited after Lunney spent five years as the tight ends coach at Arkansas under Bielema from 2013-17. The contract is pending approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.”
After serving as the interim head coach of Arkansas, Lunney Jr. caught on at the University of Texas at San Antonio. In his time, he helped lead the Roadrunners to the new heights as their associate head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
While Illinois found some success in Bret Bielema’s first season, reuniting the coach with Barry Lunney Jr. could do wonders. With Tommy DeVito joining the fold, the offense could take a big step in 2022.