Air Force the Right Fit for Shelby’s DeVito

SHELBY — Brayden DeVito has always focused on what he can control, and his latest decision reflects that mindset.

 

The Shelby Whippets are off to a strong start this season, thanks in large part to DeVito's leadership. The senior quarterback has completed 34 of 46 passes for 599 yards and eight touchdowns, while also rushing for 323 yards and five touchdowns on 26 carries.

 

In a commanding 49-6 victory over Bellevue last week, DeVito joined an elite group of Ohio high school quarterbacks by surpassing 10,000 career passing yards. Unofficially, he now has 10,244 passing yards, placing him among the top in state history.

 

Despite his impressive stats, major college programs have overlooked DeVito, primarily due to his height. Standing at 5-foot-11, he falls short of the typical 6-foot-2 stature preferred by top-tier programs.

 

“When I was younger, it bothered me that people would say I was too small to play quarterback,” DeVito said. “I have no control over it, so I don’t let it get to me now.”

 

Several major programs showed interest but suggested a position change. Shelby coach Rob Mahaney found this perplexing.

 

“What I think is crazy is colleges would come in to recruit him and they would say, ‘We could see him as a receiver,’” Mahaney said. “I asked myself why. He’s thrown for more than 9,500 yards in three years.”

 

Determined to play quarterback at the Division I level, DeVito found the perfect fit with the U.S. Air Force Academy. The academy offered him a scholarship in March, fulfilling his dream to continue playing quarterback.

 

“Coach Mike Thiessen, who is going to be my quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, said, ‘You will step foot on campus as a quarterback and you will graduate as a quarterback,’” DeVito said. “Their big selling point was, ‘You can come be America’s quarterback.’ That’s pretty cool to hear.”

 

Beyond football, DeVito is excited about the opportunities the Air Force Academy offers. An honor student with a 4.2 GPA, he plans to study finance and is prepared for the four-year service commitment post-graduation.

 

“The service academies are the top leadership schools in the nation,” DeVito said. “Those guys will literally go to war for each other, on the field or in the world. It really is a brotherhood like no other.”

 

As DeVito prepares for his future, both on and off the field, the Shelby community stands behind him, proud of their quarterback’s achievements and the path he has chosen.