Illinois is creating an NFL pipeline. Tommy DeVito is the latest exam…

Illinois football has started to create a name for itself in the NFL ranks, and the nation has started to take notice.

Not only are our former favorites starting, but they are making an impact on their NFL teams. We all saw this Monday night as Tommy DeVito led a game-winning drive to beat the Packers on ABC.

Having an Illinois quarterback start a game in the NFL is a rarity. Having an Illinois QB go 3-1 is even more of a rarity in the NFL. The pedigree of NFL-ready quarterbacks isn’t particularly strong for the Illini. Sure, Juice Williams and Wes Lunt had opportunities to go pro, but they never made any rosters. Nathan Scheelhaase went a different direction, which has led to success in the coaching ranks.

But, as we all know, you need to go back 20 years to find an Illinois quarterback on an NFL roster.

Here is the list of all Illinois QBs in the NFL to show you just how crazy this ride has been for Devito.

• 2003 — Kurt Kittner — QB record: 1-3
• 1990 – 2004 — Jeff…