Illinois has named quarterback Tommy DeVito, a transfer from Syracuse, as its starter for this week's opener against Wyoming.
DeVito competed with Art Sitkowski for the top job throughout the offseason, after transferring in December. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound DeVito started 15 games during three seasons for Syracuse, passing for 3,478 yards and 27 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, and adding 128 rushing yards and three touchdowns. His best year came in 2019, when he passed for 19 touchdowns.
"Tommy has made a big jump from last spring to where we are, really his composure in the pocket, learning how we play the game," coach Bret Bielema told reporters Thursday "I'm not saying he's Russell Wilson, but when we got Russell, the transition he had to go from the offense he ran to the offense we ran at Wisconsin, I see a lot of those same things with Tommy.