Tommy DeVito Enters Transfer Portal

Syracuse's quarterback room just got thinner.

Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito has announced he will transfer from Syracuse. 

"I'd like to first take the opportunity to thank Syracuse University for a top notch education and a wonderful community," DeVito wrote in a Twitter post. "I am grateful for all of the teammates I've played with and had the pleasure of knowing both on and off the field. The memories, friendships, brotherhoods I've made here will stay with me for life. 

"I look forward to maintaining those friendships and my relationship with Syracuse, so that one day I can return with my own family and show them all of the wonderful things I loved and got to experience while I was here. 

"All that said, I have to do what is now best for me, and it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing that I will be entering the transfer portal. Thank you all so very much, and may God bless you all." 

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— Tommy DeVito (@tommydevito007) October 18, 2021

DeVito stated less than two weeks ago that he wanted to stay part of the team. It is unclear if something changed or if he just had a change of heart. 

"I could've easily gone two ways with it,” DeVito said in an interview with Brent Axe on ESPN Radio on October 7th. “I could've easily just went into my shell and been like, ‘OK, I’m done, screw this. I’m not dealing with it, I’m done with the team.’ I wanted to be that guy to stay a part of the team."

In fact, DeVito referred to Alabama as motivation for how to handle a difficult situation.

"Going back and looking at the whole Tua, Jalen Hurts situation and how he handled it, that was kind of a role model in a sense for it as far as being a teammate and being that guy," DeVito said. "Same way that Tua and Jalen handled it. Tua went down in one game and Jalen came up. That's what it is, that’s the game. Injuries happen. Everything happens. So you never know when your number's going to be called."

DeVito finished his Syracuse career 337-572 (58.9%) for 3,866 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 218 yards with four rushing touchdowns. He has one year of eligibility remaining after this season. 

Coming in as a four star quarterback, DeVito had a lot of hype surrounding his potential. After flashing that ability as a freshman who backed up Eric Dungey in 2018, DeVito became the full starter in 2019. Throughout that season and in 2020, DeVito played behind a terrible offensive line which led to him being one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the sport during those two seasons.

Even with that context, some questioned whether DeVito could be the guy moving forward. Garrett Shrader transferred in from Mississippi State to compete for the starting job. DeVito was named the starter for the season opener and played the entire game until mop-up duty. He split time with Shrader against Rutgers and Albany before Shrader was named the starter for the Liberty game. DeVito has not seen the field since.