8/4/2020 football Edit

Q&A with former Rutgers Football LB Brandon Renkart: Where are they now?

Chris Nalwasky • TheKnightReport

Beat Writer

Brandon Renkart was a former Rutgers football walk-on turned captain linebacker from Piscataway who was a Scarlet Knight from 2003-07.

During his career "On the Banks", Renkart had 123 total tackles with 6.0 sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a touchdown on a fumble recovery.

He then spent time in the NFL with the Jets, Cardinals, Colts, and Steelers, before choosing a life path elsewhere.

Check out a Q&A with Renkart about what he's been up to and his thoughts on the program and head coach Greg Schiano.

Former Rutgers football LB Brandon Renkart in action (Rutgers.Rivals.com)

The Knight Report: So what have you been up to since your Rutgers and NFL days?

Brandon Renkart: "A lot has happened in the last 10 years. After the NFL, I started working for a company named Burgiss that specializes in tools and data for private capital investors and have been there ever since. Not having a financial background (he studied civil engineering as an undergrad), I decided to get a Master’s degree in Computational Finance and Risk Management from the University of Washington. On the personal side, I moved out of Piscataway and up to Hoboken and married my college sweetheart, Mallory Tornetta, who is also a former Scarlet Knight and played lacrosse."

TKR: What was your reaction when you saw Schiano was re-hired back at RU? How much can he help the program?

Renkart: "I was excited! When I heard the news, I immediately reached out to him, congratulated him, and welcomed him back to the Banks. The impact he’ll have on the program is immeasurable. Leading a college program involves much more than just mastering and coaching the game of football. It’s building great internal and external support for the program, it’s identifying, recruiting and developing talent in both coaches and players, it’s putting systems in place and providing the tools to enable student-athletes and coaches to be their best and to succeed on and off the field, it’s building relationships and giving back to the community and so much more. And I think that’s one of the reasons why we see great coaches often fail to become great head coaches. They fail to make the transition or don’t put as much focus into this larger set of responsibilities. As for Schiano, he sees the whole picture and understands the importance each part plays. He has a vision for the program and he knows how to execute on that vision. Just look at what he did in his first stint with the program as a new head coach. He hasn’t just studied and mastered the game, he’s also studied how to build a successful program. And knowing him, I’m sure he’s continued to grow through his experiences since he was last at Rutgers and that’s one of the things I’m most excited for. What will he be able to do this time around given the time and right support?"

TKR: What does Rutgers need to do to rekindle the 2006 days and such?

Renkart: "That’s a tough one because I’m not sure you could ever recreate the feeling of that era and I think any resurgence of the program will have its own unique sense of greatness. That said, I think it all starts with becoming competitive again. That starts to have a snowball effect on the program. It builds hope, it attracts better recruits, it attracts better coaches, it brings in more support and so on. And before you know it, the close losses become wins and the momentum builds. Becoming competitive again won’t be an easy task, but if there’s anyone up for the challenge it’s Schiano. But he can’t do it on his own. It’s not only going to require the players and coaches to buy-in, but it’s going to require recruits to trust and believe in his vision as well."

TKR: What was it like playing under Greg while you were there?

Renkart: “It was tough, but at the same time fun and rewarding. It didn’t matter if you were a walk-on or a captain, you were held to the same high standards and for that you became a better player and perhaps more importantly, a better person. When it was time to work, it was time to work and when it was time to play, it was time to play. I think this mentality helps bring in the right type of people. When I was there, we were, for the most part, an underrated group of guys with incredible work ethic that loved football. And we didn’t just love playing football. That was the easy part. We loved everything that made you better at football. Work wasn’t really work. It was an opportunity to get better and special things happen when you’re around a group of people who are all working to get better and pushing each other to get better.”

TKR: How did Schiano help you grow on and off the field?

Renkart: “Schiano helped me grow in countless ways. First and foremost, he wants you to be the best version of yourself and challenges you to do so because he cares. That manifests itself in many ways. On the field, he teaches you to be a student of the game, how to study film, and how to go beyond the X’s and O’s and understand the underlying concepts of the game. He sees things in you that you don’t see in yourself sometimes and challenges you to get better, all of which prepares you for the next level and you can see this in the success that former players of his have had in the NFL Off the field, he not only gives you the tools to succeed in football and in college, but also in life. He teaches the importance of time management and accountability, how to deal with adversity, how to set goals, how to focus on the process to drive results, how to prepare for the opportunity that presents itself and how to be a leader. I still apply many of these lessons today and because of that I’ve grown and matured as a person.”

TKR: When was the last time you were at RU? Itching to be back?

Renkart: “I’m always itching to be back. I try to make it to a few games every season. It’s great to watch some football and support the team, but it’s also a great time to catch up with former teammates and letterwinners. The last time I was at Rutgers was for the Ohio State game last November. Rutgers was honoring all Football Letterwinners who graduated in the 2000’s. The game didn’t go our way, but it was great to see everyone and catch up. Prior to the season, I came down to participate in the Eric LeGrand Flag Football Tournament with a few former teammates to help support a great cause. I’ll always have a strong connection to Rutgers and the program and look to get involved where I can. It’s a family in every sense of the word. If one of my former teammates or coaches called me up and asked for a favor and it was in my power to help them out I would do it no questions asked.”

TKR: How would you describe your time at Rutgers and also getting a chance to rep Piscataway?

Renkart: “For me, it was an incredible journey that was made possible by some amazing people that decided to be part of that journey and for that I’m thankful. Being so close to home and close to the people that helped me along the way made it all that much more special.”

TKR: What are some of your favorite memories as a Scarlet Knight?

Renkart: “I think it’s hard not to put the 2006 season near the top of the list. It was amazing in so many ways. Other moments that stand out are going to the Insight Bowl, our first bowl game since 1978, beating South Florida in 2007, and how could anyone forget ‘The Leonard Leap’ There are too many good memories to list.”

TKR: Do you have a favorite specific moment while on the team?

Renkart: "I think more important than any one moment and something that I’ll never forget is the incredible group of people that were part of the program when I was there. That includes teammates, coaches, support staff and the like. Collectively, it’s those people that have made all the difference and will forever have a lasting impression on my life and for that I am thankful.”

TKR: Lastly, what would be your message if you were recruiting prospects to Rutgers, especially those from New Jersey?

Renkart: “Don’t rule out Rutgers because it’s rebuilding and is right in your backyard. First, Rutgers is a great school academically. Second, the rebuilding of the program is an opportunity to contribute early in your college career and to be a part of something great. New Jersey has some of the most talented athletes in the nation. If a fraction of that talent decides to stay home and take a chance, there’s a great shot at reviving the program. Sure, it’ll be an uphill battle, but if you’re up for the challenge, I promise it’ll be worth it. There’s something special about driving around N.J., your home state, seeing ‘R’s’ everywhere representing something you helped build and being able to share that with your family and the friends you grew up with. That’s not something you’ll get at an out-of-state school or one with an established program. And if you’re worried about your football career after college, don’t be. The NFL will find you if you’re good enough and Schiano will make sure you're prepared for that opportunity when it comes. More importantly, he’ll make sure you're prepared to be successful in life after your football career is over.”