Ben Higgins (Photo courtesy of ABC)

The web is abuzz about “The Bachelorette” season 11 contestant Ben Higgins.

The bachelor meets the criteria for tall, dark and handsome. He’s a gainfully employed business analyst. Posts on his Twitter page indicate he’s a God-fearing man.

Now, you might be asking yourself, “what does this fellow have to do with northern Indiana?” Well, I’m glad you asked.

Higgins, though currently residing in the Denver, Colo., grew up right here in Kosciusko County. My research indicates that he was at one time a Warsaw resident, graduating from Warsaw Community High School in 2008. He served as ministerial intern at Warsaw Community Church and was the marketing and fundraising coordinator at Baker Youth Club from April 2011 to July 2013.

His LinkedIn profile shows he took a job with Talisys in Colorado nearly two years ago. His folks still reside in the area.

What seems to have the interweb in an uproar is that the 25-year-old contestant is younger than the bachelorettes: Kaitlyn Bristowe, 29, and Britt Nilsson, 27. These gals are hardly robbing the cradle, but for 19 seasons ABC’s brother show, “The Bachelor,” has employed a formula of older males and a plenty of fresh-out-of-college young ladies.

So, if you’re the type who enjoys these reality TV dating shows, perhaps you’ll want to root for the hometown contestant. Season 11 of “The Bachelorette” premieres on May 18.