Tom Brady has been suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season—that much we know.
The spotlight now shines directly on his backup—second-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo—who will likely fill in for the two-time MVP in a situation similar to what the Patriots went through 14 years ago.
But who is Garoppolo?
Garoppolo was the team’s second-round pick in 2014 out of Eastern Illinois—an FCS school whose most famous sports alum is fellow NFL quarterback Tony Romo. Garoppolo made a name for himself at the school too, though. The now 23-year-old broke all of Romo’s career records as well as all of the Ohio Valley Conference records.
The four-year starter was especially hot his senior year when he threw for an incredible 5,050 yards and 53 TDs, while getting picked just nine times in 568 attempts. The 2013 Walter Payton Award winner then shined during last year’s preseason with the Patriots, completing 46 of 72 passes for 618 yards and five TDs against just one interception.
