Tommy's Time: DeVito Set to Lead Syracuse Offense

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Having had two years to learn the ropes from Eric Dungey, redshirt sophomore Tommy DeVito is ready to step into the role of starting quarterback for the Orange. The Cedar Grove, New Jersey native is expected to make his first collegiate start Saturday night when he leads No. 22 Syracuse onto the field at Williams Stadium to face Liberty.

In eight games last season, DeVito was 44-of-87 (.506) passing for 525 yards and four touchdowns.

Although DeVito has always prepared as if he were the starter, this year is different. This year, he has the keys to the racing car. It's his offense. Even though his circumstances may have changed, DeVito's mindset remains the same.

"It's the same approach that got me here," he said. "The same way that's going to help me moving forward, to prepare like I'm not first-string, to prepare like I'm working toward something and that I'm competing with everybody in the country."

This year, he has no shortage of options when it comes to getting players the ball in space. The one word he used to describe Syracuse's offense? Fast.

"We're going to be fast," DeVito reiterated. "We have a lot of weapons."

Playing in Coach Dino Babers' up-tempo, spread attack, there is always the potential to be able to throw a 2-yard route that goes for a 98-yard score. Same with the run game. If he hands the ball off on the 3-yard line, guys like senior Moe Neal and redshirt junior Abdul Adams have the ability to take it the distance.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," DeVito said, "I can't wait."

Being a college football quarterback is inherently a high-pressure job, and on top of that, there are increased expectations for this Orange team based off of last year's 10-win season. That's the kind of environment DeVito thrives in.

"I enjoy it honestly, there's nothing better. That's why I love the game of football, because you're in an arena and it's just fun," he said. "When the Dome gets loud, players start getting more amped up, everybody gets amped up. It's exciting, it's electric, and there's nothing better than that."

By the same token, although he doesn't always want one, he does love a close game. He has plenty of friends on teams throughout the Atlantic Coast Conference, and it's fun to compete against them, he said.

"Everybody in the ACC is awesome," DeVito added.

That joy and excitement extends to the locker room, too. On game days, while some teammates are quiet and trying to get into their zone, DeVito likes to stay loose and have fun.

"Some people are really serious, I'm more of the fun guy," DeVito said. "I'm hanging out, talking to my guys, listening to music, and just getting amped up to play."

Even though he's the starting quarterback for a nationally-ranked team with championship aspirations, DeVito doesn't take himself too seriously. His family has helped him stay grounded, teaching him since he was young to stay level-headed and to never make the game about himself. Both his dad and his trainer, Leon Clarke, who he says is like his second father, have pushed him to the place he is today.

At Syracuse, Babers keeps everything black and white. There's no gray and DeVito wouldn't want it any other way.

"He'll tell you how it is, even if you don't want to hear it, and that's how I was brought up. My parents will tell you anything and even if you don't want to hear it, you have to hear it," DeVito said.

That laid back, humble personality carries off the field, too. A few weeks into the summer, he and fellow quarterback Rex Culpepper started grilling every day. More and more players joined in throughout the summer and eventually they had so much food that "it was ridiculous," DeVito said, laughing. It's just another example of how DeVito has gone about the process of building bonds with his teammates.

Some are predicting a breakout year for DeVito, but his goal for the remainder of his Syracuse career is simple: be the best teammate he possibly can be.

"I want to give the team everything that I would give to anybody else, they're my second family," he said. "I want to leave everything on the field."

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Syracuse University Athletics

Tommy's Time: DeVito Set to Lead Syracuse Offense

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Abdul Adams

Rex Culpepper

Tommy DeVito

Eric Dungey

Moe Neal

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