Illinois will start Tommy DeVito at quarterback for Saturday's season opener against Wyoming, head coach Bret Bielema announced. DeVito is a transfer from Syracuse who completed 305-of-520 (.586) passes for 3,478 yards and 27 touchdowns with the Orange.
A native of Cedar Grove, N.J., DeVito ranked in the top 10 all-time at Syracuse in completion percentage (7th, 58.6), passer rating (8th, 128.1), passing yards per game (7th, 144.9), touchdown passes (7th, 27), completions (9th, 305) and passing yards (10th, 3,478). He graduated from Syracuse as a sociology major and is enrolled in Illinois' Strategic Brand Communication master's program.
DeVito was a highly rated prospect out of Don Bosco Prep, where he was a two-year starter. He was ranked #136 in the nation by ESPN and the eighth-ranked pocket passer in the nation.
Illinois kicks off against Wyoming at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.