PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — The University of Toledo is the Rosi family.

Steve Rosi was an All-American tight end for the Rockets in 1995. Oldest son Drew will play in his final game at Toledo in the Bahamas Bowl. Youngest son Nick has risen from walk-on to starter on the offensive line.

“Growing up, I went to many Toledo games,” said Drew, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end. “I was always a Toledo fan. I know it’s kind of weird, but I never followed a college team. Toledo was the only team I ever looked up the score to see if they won.”

In five seasons with the Rockets — thanks to the NCAA’s super senior rule — Rosi has 49 receptions, 648 yards, four touchdowns, and one fiancée.

On senior day, a 49-14 victory over Akron, Rosi not only caught a touchdown on his final catch, he knelt down after the game and asked long-time girlfriend Logan Boley to marry him.

“I’m glad she said yes,” Toledo coach Jason Candle quipped.

The ring was purchased months ago, with the original plan involving a Mid-American Conference championship game proposal. When those arrangements went by the wayside, Rosi improvised and decided that the Glass Bowl, with family and friends in attendance, was the appropriate venue to pop the question to Boley, a fellow UT student.

“As a football player and a person, there’s no one who wants to do it the correct way more than Drew Rosi,” Toledo tight ends coach Mark Staten said. “It’s been a pleasure and a lot of fun getting to know that part of him. He does everything with extreme concentration, whether it’s school, football, or family.”

Rosi, a three-star recruit, was an all-conference defensive end as a senior at Olentangy Liberty in suburban Columbus, recording 27.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 28 QB hurries, six pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. Michigan State, where Staten coached prior to UT, recruited Rosi as a defender, so coach and player were familiar with each other when Staten became Rosi’s position coach.

It didn’t take Staten long to find out why Rosi is a popular teammate. Not only did he see someone who was diligent on the field, Staten quickly discovered Rosi’s unselfishness and determination to simply win football games, regardless of his personal stats.

“He’s been a great leader and a great teacher to the young guys,” Staten said. “They know they can lean on him if they have any questions. He’s always watching extra film and helping young people know the way.”

For one more week, Rosi will be the guy that Toledo’s seven other tight ends approach for guidance. It’s a week he’s looking forward to because he has one more game — and he’s spending it in The Bahamas.

The Rockets and Middle Tennessee State kick off the 2021 bowl season at noon Friday in the Bahamas Bowl.

“I have a lot of friends on the team and we’re all excited to enjoy ourselves for the three or four days before the game,” Rosi said. “We can’t be too crazy, but we’re going to enjoy ourselves with all they have to offer.”

Sun, sand, and water slides are on the agenda. And, of course, football.

On Friday, Rosi hopes he can make one final impression.

Tight end isn’t the most glamorous position in football, and rarely are its occupants divas. Rosi is straight from central casting, a square-jawed, head-down grinder who draws as much attention as someone wearing a suit on Wall Street.

It’s not as if Rosi hasn’t made an impact — he had a reception in Toledo’s MAC championship win over Akron in 2017, he scored a game-winning touchdown against Eastern Michigan in 2019, and his influence has been appreciated by coaches and teammates alike.

It’s not always valued by the outside world, however.

“His position, other than playing quarterback, is the hardest position on offense,” Candle said. “You have to be able to play as a receiver. You have to be able to play like a running back lined up in the backfield. You have to be attached to the line of scrimmage like an offensive lineman. It takes a lot of hats when you play that position. It requires you to be a smart guy and a reactionary guy.

“In today’s football, that position is underappreciated by the naked eye. But it’s certainly not underappreciated by coaches because they know how much time and energy it takes to play at a high level.”

Said Rosi: “They ask a lot out of us, and I enjoy the challenge.”

First Published December 14, 2021, 12:50 a.m.