Tommy DeVito Bio
Thomas Nathan DeVito, known widely as Tommy DeVito, is an American professional football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played five seasons of college football for the Syracuse Orange and one season with the Illinois Fighting Illini before signing with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 209 pounds, DeVito earned a reputation as a confident, Italian-American passer whose rise from third-string rookie to fan favorite captured league-wide attention during the 2023 season.
Early Life and Background
Thomas Nathan DeVito was born on August 7, 1998, in Livingston, New Jersey. He grew up in nearby Cedar Grove and attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School, a program known for producing college-level talent. His parents remained an important presence throughout his early development, and the proximity of their home to NFL facilities later shaped his living arrangements during his professional career.
As a junior at Don Bosco Prep, DeVito passed for 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns and was named first-team All-State by MSG and second-team All-Metro. The Ironmen finished 9-3 that season and captured the Non-Public 4 state championship. Following his junior year, DeVito competed in the Elite 11 quarterback competition and was named a finalist, a national recognition that highlighted his standing among elite high school passers.
In his senior season, DeVito passed for 2,005 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions and played in the Under Armour All-American Game. He committed to Syracuse at the end of his junior year, choosing the Orange over other college suitors.
Path to American Football
DeVito joined Syracuse as a true freshman in 2017 and redshirted that season before serving primarily as a backup to Eric Dungey the following year. His first significant action came on September 15, 2018, against Florida State, when he replaced an injured Dungey and completed 11 of 16 passes for 144 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown in a 30-7 Syracuse win. A week later, he led Syracuse to a 40-37 double-overtime victory over North Carolina, throwing three touchdowns.
As a redshirt sophomore, DeVito passed for 2,360 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 122 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. In 2020, he completed 48 of 96 passes for 593 yards and four touchdowns through the first four games before suffering a season-ending leg injury against Duke. Seeking a fresh opportunity, DeVito transferred to Illinois, where he was named the starting quarterback and posted 2,650 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions to go with six rushing touchdowns in 2022. He was denied a waiver for an additional year of eligibility and turned professional.
Tommy DeVito Career
Early Career (2023)
The New York Giants signed Tommy DeVito as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2023. He was waived on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. His NFL debut came in Week 8 against the New York Jets after an injury to Tyrod Taylor; he scored the Giants’ only touchdown on a six-yard run. DeVito was promoted to the active roster on October 31 and entered the Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders in relief of an injured Daniel Jones, throwing for 175 yards with his first NFL passing touchdown along with two interceptions.
Giants Breakthrough (2023-2024)
In Week 10 of the 2023 season, head coach Brian Daboll named DeVito the starter after Jones suffered a torn ACL. He went on to lead the Giants to three consecutive victories over Dallas, Washington, and New England, completing 18 of 26 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns against the Commanders in a 31-19 win that made him the first winning quarterback to be sacked nine or more times in a game since 1992. He later completed 17 of 21 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, adding 71 rushing yards, and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
DeVito quickly became a fan favorite and was given the nickname “Tommy Cutlets” in reference to his Italian heritage and his mention of eating chicken cutlets at home with his parents. His energetic play and signature Italian hand-gesture celebration earned him the Bud Light Celebration of the Year award at the 13th NFL Honors. After mixed performances and a forearm injury in 2024, DeVito was waived by the Giants on August 26, 2025.
New England Patriots Era (2025-Present)
On August 27, 2025, Tommy DeVito was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots as the third-string quarterback behind Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs. The move gave him an opportunity to continue developing within a new offensive system and remain part of an NFL quarterback room.
Driving Style and Strengths
DeVito is recognized for his poise in the pocket, quick decision-making, and underrated mobility, evidenced by his 71 rushing yards against Green Bay. His football intelligence and willingness to take calculated downfield shots helped the Giants sustain drives late in close games.
Notable Events and Milestones
DeVito’s first NFL passing touchdown came in relief of Daniel Jones against Las Vegas in 2023, and his first career start was the Week 10 game against Dallas. The Week 11 win over Washington stands as his signature statistical performance, while the game-winning drive against Green Bay established his reputation for late-game composure. His Celebration of the Year award at the 13th NFL Honors capped a memorable rookie campaign.
Tommy DeVito Career Wins
Tommy DeVito’s verified professional victories are concentrated in his 2023 rookie season with the New York Giants, where he started and won multiple consecutive games as an undrafted third-string quarterback thrust into action.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
DeVito led the Giants to victories over Dallas, Washington, New England, and Green Bay during the 2023 season, going 3-1 as a starter in that stretch. His most recent verified win was the Week 13 victory over the Packers, sealed by a last-minute field goal drive in which he completed all four passes.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, DeVito guided Illinois to a 34-10 win over Wisconsin on October 1, 2022, rushing for three touchdowns. He also engineered memorable Syracuse wins against Florida State and North Carolina in 2018 as a redshirt freshman.
Tommy DeVito Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
DeVito’s Italian heritage has been central to his public identity, with fans and media embracing him as a prideful representative of Italian-American culture in professional football. The closeness of his family played a practical role early in his NFL journey, as the proximity of his parents’ home to the Giants’ facilities in East Rutherford allowed him to live with them during his rookie year.
Personal Life
During his rookie season with the Giants, DeVito lived with his parents to remain close to the team’s facilities. Advertising income from a Super Bowl commercial and other endorsement deals allowed him to move into his own residence before the 2024 season. He has a younger brother named Max, who played wide receiver at Salve Regina University.
2025 Season Performance
DeVito entered the 2025 season on the Giants’ roster as the third-string quarterback behind Daniel Jones and Drew Lock. After a 2-8 start, he was elevated to the starting role on November 18 and made his season debut against Tampa Bay, completing 21 of 31 passes for 189 yards. A forearm injury briefly sidelined him before he returned to start against Baltimore, where he suffered a concussion and was replaced.
Despite the rocky finish, the Giants announced that DeVito would return for 2025; however, he was waived on August 26, 2025. The Patriots claimed him the next day, providing him with an opportunity to contribute as a reserve behind Drake Maye and Joshua Dobbs.
Looking ahead, DeVito’s focus is on developing within the New England offense and positioning himself for a larger role. His blend of starting experience, mobility, and leadership gives him a path back onto an active NFL roster in the seasons to come.