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North Jersey High School Star Takes Over As Giants QB In Loss To Jets

UPDATE (Nov. 1): Because the Jets game was the third straight time that QB Tommy DeVito was elevated from the practice squad, the Giants had to sign him to the 53-man roster before he could suit up against the Raiders in Las Vegas this Sunday.

QB Tommy DeVito was wearing his trademark "TD" pendant -- to go with a brand new cap -- when the Giants called to offer him a practice squad spot. Family friend Frank DeBlasio was there. 

QB Tommy DeVito was wearing his trademark "TD" pendant -- to go with a brand new cap -- when the Giants called to offer him a practice squad spot. Family friend Frank DeBlasio was there. 

Photo Credit: Frank DiBlasio

They did just that on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

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ORIGINAL STORY (Oct. 29):

It wasn't the Cinderella moment New York Giants fans might've hoped for when local quarterback Tommy DeVito was thrust into Sunday's game against the Jets for his first action as a pro.

The third-string signal caller, who grew up a short drive from the Meadowlands, scored a third-quarter touchdown, but it was the only one the Giants would get in a 13-10 loss to the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 29.

The inexperienced Don Bosco (Ramsey) Prep grad was limited to seven passes, two of which he completed for minus-1 yard, as the Giants rested their hopes on running back Saquon Barkley.

It wasn't enough.

DeVito entered the game in the first half after quarterback Tyrod Tyler -- filling in for Giants starter Daniel Jones -- was knocked out with a rib injury and taken to a local hospital. The Jets were leading 7-3 at the time.

DeVito nearly threw an interception on his first pass, then slid short of a first down on a third-down keeper in Giants territory, forcing the Giants to punt.

Big Blue roared out of the locker room for the second half, however, with a drive sparked by Barkley.

The Giants offense bogged down, but Gang Green lent a hand -- actually two, courtesy of defensive personal fouls.

DeVito took off on a run that failed to convert a third down in the red zone late in the quarter-opening drive. But Jets defender Jermaine Johson hit him late, giving the Giants a fresh set of downs.

The key moment came with nine minutes left and the Giants with a third-and-goal at the Jets 11.

DeVito hadn't completed a pass when he took the snap, faked a handoff to Barkley, then cut left and headed to the end zone and what would become a 10-7 Giants lead.

DeVito, who played college football at Syracuse and Illinois, grew up in Cedar Grove, a 10-to-15-minute drive from MetLife.

He was first-team All-State by MSG and second-team All-Metro after passing for 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns in his junior season at Don Bosco, which went 9–3 and won the Non-Public 4 state championship.

As a senior, DeVito passed for 2,005 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions and played in the Under Armour All-American Game.

DeVito was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent this past April. He was waived two months ago, then re-signed to the practice squad.

He's won at MetLife. As a junior, DeVito quarterbacked the Ironmen over rival St. Joseph's of Montvale, 21-10, to win the NJSIAA/SportsCare Institute Non-Public, Group 4 championship in 2015.

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