Sunday Sidebar: Tommy and Trishton

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – When Trishton Jackson arrived at Syracuse from Michigan State in January of 2018, he quickly gravitated to then redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy DeVito.

During last season, which Jackson had to sit out per NCAA transfer rules, that bond grew and it's strength is evident now that both are key pieces of the Syracuse offense.

"That's my best friend," Jackson said of DeVito. "When I came here, we really built a connection.

"He's got this never-nervous-type vibe to him always. He's always up. He'll bring you up if you're feeling down."

Jackson continued to be DeVito's favorite target last Thursday night at NC State. The redshirt junior snagged a career-high nine passes and posted his third 100-yard receiving game of the season, finishing with 106 yards against the Wolfpack. He also caught a 2-yard touchdown from DeVito, his third straight game with a score. So far in 2019, Jackson has 33 receptions for 499 yards and six touchdowns. He ranks fifth in the ACC in receiving yards per game (83.2) and trails only Wake Forest's Sage Surratt (9) and Scotty Washington (7) in touchdown catches.

Jackson is responsible for half of DeVito's 12 TD throws as well as 23 percent (31) of the signal-caller's 135 total completions.

With Jackson as his most reliable weapon, DeVito has connected on more than 60 percent of his passes four times in six games, including three marks of better than 70 percent. Against NC State Thursday, DeVito set a personal best with 29 completions and he was successful on 74.4 percent of his throws (29-39). For the season, DeVito ranks third in the ACC in completion percentage (.655) and he is 15th nationally in completions per game (22.5).

Jackson is the latest in a line of receivers to see their production increase dramatically in head coach Dino Babers' offense. All-Americans Amba Etta-Tawo and Steve Ishmael enjoyed monster seasons that resulted in NFL opportunities. Ervin Philips caught 179 of his school-record 223 passes in two seasons playing for Babers and then signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. Jamal Custis had a breakout season in 2018, parlaying All-ACC Second Team honors into a professional opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs.

DeVito had a front-row seat to the performances turned in by Ishmael, Philips and Custis while serving as an understudy to quarterback Eric Dungey. Now he's the one delivering those passes.

Said Jackson: "I think we have a good connection and I think we will see it grow in the future."

For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Jamal Custis

Tommy DeVito

Eric Dungey

Amba Etta-Tawo

Steve Ishmael

Trishton Jackson

Ervin Philips

Related Videos