The Butkus Award and Nagurski Trophy winner is not a finalist for the Heisman Trophy despite a historic season.
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez's record-breaking 2025 season has been rewarded with some of the most prestigious awards in college football, winning the Butkus Award given to the nation's top linebacker and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as college football's best defensive player.
But he will not be awarded the most prestigious honor in the sport: the Heisman Trophy.
Rodriguez was not named one of the four finalists for the award. Instead, the quarterback-heavy history of the trophy will continue as three of the four finalists are signal-callers: Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State's Julian Sayin, and Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia, joining Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
The Red Raiders have campaigned for Rodriguez to be sent to New York to at least be a finalist, knowing that actually winning the award is an incredible long shot for a primary defender. Head coach Joey McGuire has lined "J-Rod" up at quarterback for two rushing touchdowns and the school as begun selling merchandise that depicts a silhouette of the trophy pose with Rodriguez's signature cowboy hat and iconic mustache.
Rodriguez will go down as one of the best players in Texas Tech history as the face of the greatest season in program history. His 13 turnovers accounted for individually (through forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and interceptions) will forever be remembered as he anchored a defense that dominated opponents on its way to Tech's first ever Big 12 championship.
But unfortunately, this stellar season will fall victim to the conformity of the Heisman being handed to the quarterback of a contending team.
Jacob's wife, Emma - who has garnered as much respect and fame in Lubbock as a black hawk helicopter pilot in the US Army - had something to say about her husband's snub.
The last primarily defensive player to at least receive an invite to NYC was Notre Dame star Manti Te'o, whose stats during his Heisman-hopeful season are comparable the Rodriguez's.
Former Baylor star and 2011 Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III also had a response to the selection committee's finalists.
"Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez being left off the Heisman Finalist list is a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY," he said on social media.
Tech fans were especially frustrated after Rodriguez had led the Heisman Trophy Fan Vote Leaderboard for much of the weeks-long voting competition.
"Red Raider Nation, I cannot thank you enough for your love and support, especially these last couple of weeks," Emma Rodriguez added on social media. "Because of y’all, the world knows about Jacob and for that, I am forever grateful. We are not done yet. See y’all on January 1st."
Texas Tech will turn its attention to the College Football Playoff where it ranks No. 4 and can enjoy a bye into the quarterfinals.
The Red Raiders will play the winner of No. 5 Oregon and No. 12 James Madison on New Year's Day in the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens.