Rothhaar changes commitment to Rutgers

NORWALK — After meeting with a Big Ten school, Ben Rothhaar has changed his college commitment. The Norwalk High School football recruit posted on X on July 26 that he has committed to Rutgers University after a meeting with the Scarlet Knights' staff. Rothhaar had originally gave his verbal commitment to Kent State University from the Mid-American Conference on June 23. A standout on both sides of the ball for the Truckers, Rothhaar is expected to play tight end at Rutgers. "I chose Rutgers because they are a Big Ten school, which is what I've been chasing," Rothhaar said. "The coaches there were very genuine, down to earth people. They care about the players and they have many different coaches for players needs." The Knights are coming off a 7-6 season that saw them defeat Miami, Fla. in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York. Located in Piscataway, N.J., Rutgers is notable for playing in the first ever collegiate football game in 1869. Before every home game, players for the Knights touch a statue noting the first game on their walk to the stadium. Rutgers perennially appears in the most annual listings of the world's top universities, and was recently ranked No. 40 in the U.S. News and World Report. "I also really liked the campus and the courses the school offered," Rothhaar said. "The academic counselors will meet with the players every day to make sure they are getting done what they need to. "This was nice, because football is a really hard sport. This makes the school aspect a little bit easier." On the gridiron, the Knights joined the Big Ten in 2014. The team is 7-5 all-time in 12 bowl games. The Knights are scheduled to play at Ohio State in 2025. At Norwalk, Rothhaar has been a consistent presence on both sides of the ball for the Truckers in each of the past two seasons. Last season, he caught 32 passes for 451 yards with three touchdowns. Rothhaar returned five kickoffs for 132 yards and a TD, and also returned two punts for 44 yards. On defense, he made 73.5 tackles with an interception from the safety position. As a sophomore in 2022, Rothhaar caught 37 passes for 344 yards with a TD; and returned 14 kickoffs for 357 yards with a TD. On defense, he made 116 tackles and recovered two fumbles. In limited time as a freshman, he caught 13 passes for 127 yards with a TD and made 31 tackles. "I'm really excited for Ben to have the opportunity to play at the next level," second-year Norwalk head coach Keith Mora said after Rothhaar committed to Kent. "Anyone that knows Ben knows how hard of a worker he is, and he is someone who will only get better every year." Rothhaar is a four-sport athlete who will be looking to complete 16 varsity letters at the end of the upcoming 2024-25 school year. On the basketball court, Rothhaar has averaged 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds — just under a double-double every game — in 46 games. He has 478 points and 435 rebounds in 70 career games. In baseball, he hit .295 this past spring with two doubles, 19 RBIs and 11 runs scored. In 2023, Rothhaar batted .353 with a double, a triple, nine RBIs, 11 runs scored and 11 stolen bases to earn SBC Lake second team. On the track, Rothhaar has qualified for the Div. I regional meet three times, and has been an SBC Lake Division champion in sprints. As a sophomore, he reached the Div. I state championships in the 400-meter dash. "I love sports in general, and I'm always active," he said. "I want to be moving around and getting better in some way, somehow. That's just how I grew up, and four sports is right up my alley because I'm always busy and always doing stuff." That doesn't mean it's a walk in the park, either. "It takes a toll, obviously football is physical and basketball is also, with little injuries here and there," Rothhaar said. "In the spring, trying to balance two sports, homework and sleeping enough gets pretty hard. But it's part of the grind that you just get used to." The Truckers went from 0-10 in 2022 to 3-7 last season. With Rothhaar back for his senior season, Norwalk will again look to improve that win total while navigating a challenging schedule. "Obviously I'm still working, getting better, all the stuff I've normally been doing," Rothhaar said. "But the thing I really hope I leave behind is some sort of impact on someone. Either someone saw me working after practice, or after a baseball game when I go out and train for track. "For kids now and in the future, I hope they see that and they want to chase what I was chasing."