If you were creating afictional North Jersey football player profile to fit aperceived stereotype , Tommy DeVito could be that guy , and there would be no argument . He ’ s not the character ofthe same name played by JoePesci in Goodfellas , of course , nor was DeVito amentor for Frankie Valli and afounding member of the Four Seasons . DeVito resembles Matthew McConaughey , yet spent much of a10-minute interview session intalking not with aTexas accent , but with his hands . This isanobvious giveaway to where he ’ sfrom , as someone born and raised in North Jersey can attest . Even with the 24-year-old DeVito tucking his “ TD ” charm and gold rope chain inside his shirt , there isno denying that this not only remains his home — it ’ swho he is .“ Tommy does not lack confidence , for sure ,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema told NorthJersey . com last summer . “ He ’ s Jersey through and through .” This isn ’ t astory written as fan fiction , though — this is real life , and DeVito went to work asarookie quarterback of the New York Giants , his new office a20-minute drive from his childhood home in Cedar Grove and in the shadow of MetLife Stadium , where hewon aState championship for Don Bosco seven years ago .
DeVito took snaps from center John Michael Schmitz , the Giants ’ second round pick in the NFL Draft , and fired passes to Jalin Hyatt , their third-round pick , when rookie mini camp kicked off onthe practice fields at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center .
After 259 picks through seven rounds without hearing his name called , DeVito agreed to adeal with the Giants
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CLOSE TO HOME Tommy DeVito made his Giants debut on October 29 , rushing for a touchdown against the Jets at MetLife Stadium .
that includes a $ 10,000 signing bonus and $ 10,000 base salary guarantee as an undrafted free agent . That ’ sobviously in adifferent stratosphere than the $ 160 million the Giants committed to Daniel Jones back in March , even afar cry from the $ 5.450 million backup Tyrod Taylor is set to earn this season .
DeVito earned this opportunity with the Giants , and now that he ’ s back home , the challenge is going out and proving he deserves to stay .
“ I know he ’ s alocal legend around here ,” Giants coach Brian Daboll says , flashing awry smile as if to acknowledge the odds facing any undrafted rookie , let alone those tasked with playing the most important position in the sport while starting over
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with essentially ablank resume in the pros .“ But he ’ s got along way togo , a lot to learn . Good young man to work with .”
DeVito led Don Bosco to aNon- Public , Group 4title as ajunior , and the offense was tailored around his skill set , giving him more freedom at the line of scrimmage . Hethrew for 3,238 yards and 33 touchdowns , with 11 interceptions over two seasons , earning ascholarship to Syracuse , where he played for four years before transferring as afifth-year senior to Illinois .
The change in offense tomore of apro-style system benefitted DeVito , who completed nearly 70 percent ofhis passes for 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions . Heparticipated in the
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SARAH STIER / GETTY IMAGES |
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12 HOLIDAY 2023 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE |