Northwestern University Athletics
Two Minute Drill: Josh Rooks
10/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 16, 2008
Standing next to Josh Rooks, there is little doubt he was built to be a football player. Measuring 6-foot-6-inches tall and weighing 265 pounds, it would be easy to assume he spends his autumn Saturdays opening up running holes and providing time for the quarterback to find his receivers. But what can be deceiving is to watch when he is the one that is hauling in those passes.
"I don't have the average size a typical tight end does, which I think has really helped me out," Rooks said. "I definitely try to use it to my advantage and hopefully it will let me do some things other players can't."
Rooks' size has always come as an advantage to the Zeeland, Mich., native. During his senior season at Holland Christian High School, he snagged 20 passes for over 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns. But that size also served as an ominous presence on the Maroons' defensive line where he recorded 32 tackles and a pair of quarterback sacks as an end. Rooks' size, along with his athleticism, caught the attention of a number of programs as he was listed among the top-40 tight end prospects in the nation, and was also sought after as a defensive stopper.
Knowing he wanted to focus more on the offensive aspect, Rooks' list of prospective schools was dwindled down to a select few, including Big Ten rivals Indiana and Purdue. But the Wildcats offered something the Hoosiers and Boilermakers couldn't--the chance to play a pivotal role as the NU superback. A hybrid of the fullback/tight end positions, it offered Rooks the chance to not only use his size to open up holes, but also a chance to make an impact with the ball in his hands.
"It definitely is a position that is unique to just a handful of schools," Rooks said. "For me, it was attractive because it combined the best of both positions, and it still gave me the chance to contribute to the offense. I've always had decent speed for my size, so it just seemed to be a perfect fit."
But as is the case with the majority of Wildcats, when Rooks looked at Northwestern he saw more than just the opportunity to suit up for a Big Ten program. He saw a program that was re-establishing its identity as a conference title contender, and knew he wanted to be a part of it.
"There were a lot of schools that I thought I could play for, but for whatever reason Northwestern just seemed to fit better than anywhere else," Rooks said. "Ultimately being able to play three hours from home and having the potential to do something meaningful, it was just the best fit for me."
He saw limited action in his freshman season, but made an impact right out of the gates as a sophomore, snagging his first career touchdown pass from C.J. Bachér midway through the fourth quarter to seal the `Cats' season-opening 30-10 victory over Syracuse.
"It was like nothing else I've ever experienced," said Rooks. "It was a little surreal at the time, but it's a moment that I'll always have and I definitely will remember forever."
So does that mean that Eric Peterman, Rasheed Ward and Andrew Brewer need to be concerned about being replaced as Bachér's top red-zone target?
"I don't know if I'd go that far," Rooks joked. "Hopefully I'll be able to catch a few more touchdown passes, but as long as we are winning games, it's fine with me."
