2018: Started 10 games at linebacker...led the team with 73 tackles, including a.15 tackles for loss with one sack...averaged 7.3 tackles per game on his way to All-Patriot League Second-Team honors...recorded double-digit tackles at Delaware (9/8) with 11 and No. 24 Colgate (9/22) with 10...earned the George McGaughey Award given annually to a player from both teams in the Lafayette-Bucknell game (10/20), registering a game-high nine tackles while helping the defense hold Bucknell to minus-two rushing yards in the game.
2017: Started every game at MIKE linebacker...finished second on the team with 77 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks...had at least one tackle in every game and four or more in 10 games...had nine tackles against Monmouth (9/2), No. 7 Villanova (9/16) and Holy Cross (9/30) which managing a season-high 10 stops vs. Colgate (11/11)...recovered a fumble in the Bucknell game (10/21) when the Lafayette defense shut out the Bison offense...one of 38 Leopards named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, holding a 3.50 semester GPA.
2016: Started all 11 games at MIKE linebacker...led the team with 85 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss with two sacks...had three or more tackles in every game...made 10 stops vs. Delaware (9/10) and 12 tackles a week later at Princeton (9/17)...made a career-high 15 tackles (8 solo, 7 assisted) with a sack at Bucknell.
2015: Played in three games before an elbow injury ended his season...managed seven tackles on the season, four of which came at Delaware (9/12).
2014: Played in 10 games, seeing time primarily on special teams...had a tackle in seven games and multiple tackles in three games (Robert Morris, Colgate and Lehigh)...named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll with a 3.25 GPA.
AT NEW CANAAN: All-State First-Team performer who led the state of Connecticut in tackles (176) in his senior year while registering 6.5 sacks, three interceptions, one forced fumble and a touchdown...garnered All-Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference First-Team honors...served as team captain for 2013 squad which posted a 14-1 mark and captured a conference and a Connecticut Class L state title...Hearst Newspapers Super 33 selection while also garnering Norwalk Hour All-Area honors...named MSG Varsity 2013 All-Connecticut First Team and 2013 All-Metro Honorable Mention...secured 2013 USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA Connecticut Team...three-year starter who helped his squad post a 34-6 record...garnered All-Conference and All-State First-Team honors as a junior...played lacrosse for two seasons.
PERSONAL: Father, Steven, played football at the University of Maine...son of Steven and Susan Root...one of two players in class of 2018 from New Canaan, joining Michael Donnelly...born 7/12/96.
