All-NJ college QB battle: Former Don Bosco star Tommy DeVito vs. Art Sitkowski at Illinois

INDIANAPOLIS – There’s a New Jersey quarterback competition at Illinois.

The battle between former Don Bosco star Tommy DeVito, who transferred to the Illini from Syracuse, and Art Sitkowski, the Old Bridge native and Rutgers transfer, is ramping back up again at Illinois’ training camp in Champaign.

“Him and Art actually have an incredibly strong relationship,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said at Big Ten Media Days. “Those two have been kind of running the player-led practices.”

DeVito, who was rated a four-star recruit and the No. 7 overall prospect in New Jersey for the Class of 2017, had a roller-coaster four-year stint with the Orange. He became the starting quarterback in 2019 and threw for 2,360 yards.

Injuries derailed his 2020 season, and then Garrett Shrader supplanted DeVito as the starter early last season. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound DeVito, a Cedar Grove native, left the program and entered the transfer portal not long after.

DeVito announced his decision to head to Illinois in December.

'He's Jersey through and through'

For DeVito, it’s a big opportunity – a chance to become a starting quarterback in the Big Ten, as well as an opportunity to step in as the Bielema leads a rebuild of the Illini.

So far, Bielema has liked what he’s seen.

“Tommy does not lack confidence, for sure,” Bielema said. “He’s Jersey through and through. I think came in fitting really well with our guys, especially in the wide receiver room. This summer I think he’s been able to build a great rapport with our guys.”

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DeVito made a good impression for Illinois’ Orange and Blue Spring Game in April, going 16-of-20 for 248 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

“I think in the spring game, it kind of gave you a glimpse of what he’s capable of doing,” Bielema said. “He’s definitely got a live arm, a very accurate arm. Does have the ability to get the ball in some tight windows. Sometimes he gets a little too gunslinger for me. But I think he’s learned what we’re asking.”

But if he’s going to win the job, he’s going to have to fend off Sitkowski.

Like DeVito, Sitkowski also had an up-and-down tenure at his previous school. He started 11 games his freshman season, throwing for 1,158 yards with four touchdowns – but 18 interceptions. Sitkowski then played three games in 2019 and later entered the transfer portal, but decided to return to the Scarlet Knights following the hiring of Greg Schiano.

Sitkowski was the back-up to Noah Vedral in 2020 before entering the portal again in April, 2021 and later committing to Illinois.

Last season, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Sitkowski was 74-of-148 for 704 yards and six touchdowns in five games.

Sitkowski became Illinois’ starting QB early last season following an injury to Brandon Peters in the opener against Nebraska. He started against Penn State in October, but suffered a broken arm in the fourth overtime period – Illinois ultimately won 20-18 in a nine-overtime win.

Sitkowski had two surgeries in the offseason and couldn’t throw during spring practices.

Like DeVito, though, Sitkowski also has a big arm.

Both DeVito and Sitkowski both fit well in the Illini’s system, but one is going to earn the starting job ahead of the season opener against Wyoming on Aug. 27.

“I really think he’s in a good spot,” Bielema said of DeVito. “I’m excited to see where he’s at.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Illinois football: What Tommy DeVito has shown Bret Bielema