A YUM Publication
No. 5 Vol. 12
DECEMBER 2023
Jersey Boy from Cedar Grove Tommy DeVito Becomes NY Giants Starting QB
I
By Anthony Sorce
t was an exciting Friday Evening on December 4th 2015 for Tommy DeVito Sr and his wife Alexandria. They were watching their son Tommy DeVito Jr a Junior Standout Starting QB lead the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen into the State Championship Game vs the rival Saint Joseph Green Knights at Met Life Stadium. The pressure was on Greg Toal’s Ironmen as Don Bosco had not won a State Championship since 2011. St.Joe’s had defeated Bosco 17-7 in the season opener, Bosco came into the Championship game with a 9-2 record and not nearly as dominant as any of Toal’s squads from 2006-2011 that were nationally ranked and considered “untouchable”. A lot of North Jersey Media experts claimed Greg Toal and Bosco’s best years were behind them. The Don Bosco Ironmen defeated St Joe’s 2110 behind the leadership of Tommy DeVito. Devito threw for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns as Don Bosco was on top of the mountain again in NJ HS Football. It all happened in Met Life Stadium on the chilly December night in 2015, expectations would run high for Don Bosco Prep going into 2016, Could these Ironmen repeat and could Greg Toal and Tommy Devito take them back again? In 2015, Don Bosco Prep proved they were not done, they
were still the team to beat. Would Tommy Devito get back to Met Life Stadium? The 2016 HS Football Season started off very dismal for the defending Non Public A State Champion Ironmen. The ironmen started the 2016 season at 0-3 losing to 3 Nationally Ranked Out of State Teams, American Heritage (Florida), St Joe’s Prep (PA), and Arch Bishop Moeller (Ohio). It has been at least 20-25 years the last time any Don Bosco football program went 0-3. It was a very frustrating time for Greg Toal and his Senior Signal Caller Tommy Devito. Great teams battle back, Bosco won their next 3 games vs DePaul Cathlolic, Delbarton, and St Joe’s. Don Bosco finished the regular season at 5-4 and then a first round playoff victory over Seton Hall Prep 14-13 set the stage for a classic matchup with Paramus Catholic on November 18th 2016. A victory over Paramus Catholic would send Tommy Devito and the Ironmen back to Met Life for the Championship game for the 2nd straight year. It wasn’t meant to be, Paramus Catholic would prevail 35-29 in a wild shoot out. Tommy DeVito did not make it back to Met Life Stadium, YET. Tommy Devito would not QB another down at Met Life Stadium until October 29th 2023. Does it get any more “Jersey” than this? A man by the name of Tommy De-
Vito whom grew up in Essex County comes in as QB for the New York Giants vs the New York Jets at Met Life Stadium. Although the Giants lost 13-10 in OT, Devito who came in for the injured Tyrod Taylor, capped off a 75 Yard TD Drive with a 6 yard TD Run. Tommy Devito was making headlines, the kid that lives just 15 minutes away from Met Life Stadium is now the Giants starting QB. When Tommy’s, mother Alexandria was asked how it felt to learn her son was drafted by the Giants and would be living at their home in Cedar Grove, she was very relieved. “ having Tommy living at home after being away at Syracuse all those years is a relief for us. This is a family effort for all of us”. “ Watching Tommy play in a HS Championship Game at Met Life Stadium his junior year was exciting, we never imagined that Tommy would start his pro career right back here 8 years later”. Mrs. Devito attributes, much of Tommy’s success to growing up in Cedar Grove. “ Tommy was blessed to play in CG as a youth player in a great small town with terrific coaches , as CG has always had a terrific respected program.” When asked about the influence Greg Toal had on Tommy and playing at Don Bosco Prep, Alexandria made it clear that, it
Cedar Grove Native Tommy DeVito as the Giants starting QB scores a TD vs the Jets on 10/29/23
was the program at Bosco , that prepared him for college ball. “Toal and Bosco’s Program truly get you ready for football at the collegiate level and academic level, most Bosco players then went on to collegiate football careers stated that conditioning at Bosco was much harder in Ramsey, NJ
then at the Collegiate level. Tommy DeVito continues to make headlines not just in Cedar Grove and the State of NJ but nationally as the New York Giants Starting QB. Tommy started his first full official Pro Game as QB on November 12th on the road in Arlington, TX against the Dallas Cowboys.
So far DeVito has paid some dues in the NFL. In a 49-17 loss, Tommy was sacked 5 times but finished the game completing 14/27 passes and 2 TDs. Just like any NFL Rookie QB, Tommy DeVito is taking his hits and keeping his head up high.
2016- Cedar Grove Native Tommy DeVito with Dad Tommy Sr and Mom Alexandria as a Senior QB at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, NJ