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Syracuse Football: Tommy DeVito labeled “surprise” Heisman candidate

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

KALAMAZOO, MI - AUGUST 31: Tommy DeVito #13 of the Syracuse Orange runs the ball against the Western Michigan Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Waldo Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KALAMAZOO, MI - AUGUST 31: Tommy DeVito #13 of the Syracuse Orange runs the ball against the Western Michigan Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Waldo Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Syracuse football quarterback Tommy DeVito has been hyped as a “surprise” Heisman candidate. Here are all the details on the attention he’s received.

Despite never starting a college football game, Syracuse football quarterback Tommy DeVito has been deemed a “surprise” candidate for the Heisman trophy in 2019.

Daniel Smyth of the Saturday Blitz ranked DeVito among his top-10 surprise candidates that could contend for the Heisman trophy:

"“Tommy DeVito is an interesting sleeper for the Heisman because he has shown flashes of greatness in limited action. Last season DeVito threw for three touchdowns in a double overtime win against North Carolina.However, he has also shown he can be inconsistent. In emergency duty against Notre Dame, after starting quarterback Eric Dungey left with an injury, DeVito threw for two interceptions and failed to lead Syracuse to a touchdown.”"

So let’s address the points:

  • Syracuse vs North Carolina, Week 7
    • Syracuse was down seven with just over five minutes to go in the game when Dino Babers made the quarterback change. In the second half, Eric Dungey couldn’t do anything and after five consecutive punts and a fumble, it was Tommy DeVito time.
      • DeVito ended up throwing three touchdown passes and accumulated 181 yards in limited action and quite literally saved SU’s season from spiraling out of control. If SU would’ve lost this game, it would’ve been their third straight loss on the season.
  • Syracuse vs Notre Dame, Week 11
    • As special as the UNC victory was, the Notre Dame loss was brutal. The Orange were blown out 36-3, but their star quarterback Dungey got injured early in the game and the team couldn’t recover. DeVito struggled to fill in: 14-of-31 for 105 yards and two interceptions.

But an overall point here that factors into the best and worst moments goes back to the beginning of this article: Tommy DeVito has never started a college football game. Which means he has never received a full gameplan leading into a game.

He’s done all of this work, both good and bad, on the fly so to speak. There’s a limited amount of practice time each week and DeVito didn’t get a ton of snaps with Eric Dungey as the starter. Give DeVito a full week of preparation and all the reps and let’s see what he can really do.

Smyth of the Saturday Blitz isn’t the only analyst drinking the DeVito Kool-Aid, Rich Cirminiello, Director of College Awards for the Maxwell Football Club also is on that train. DeVito was 1-of-10 quarterbacks labeled as a “breakout quarterback star for 2019” by Rich on Twitter.

Syracuse has the best defensive line in the conference, a slew of weapons on offense, and a fiery head coach. The big question mark is on the offensive line with the squad replacing three starters heading into 2019.

dark. Next. Syracuse Football: Top 10 players that should have their jerseys retired

If Tommy is going to live up to the hype he’s going to have to take what is given to him and not try to win every game. With that mindset, the talent on the roster, and this manageable schedule, Syracuse can be right back in the thick of things at the end of the 2019 season.

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