Ex Red Raiders Star Quickly Becoming NFL Defensive Force

Jacob Rodriguez has wasted little time showing NFL teams why he was one of the most productive defensive players in college football during his final season at Texas Tech. After being selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the linebacker is already making a strong impression at the professional level.

Rodriguez originally landed with the Miami Dolphins at No. 43 overall, but his performance through the first seven weeks of the season has significantly increased his value. In Bleacher Report's latest 2026 NFL Draft re-draft, entering Week 8, Rodriguez was selected 13th overall, moving up 30 spots from his original draft position.

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The biggest reason for the jump has been his ability to consistently find the football and make plays. Rodriguez currently leads Miami with 69 total tackles, demonstrating how quickly he has become an important piece of the Dolphins' defense. And not only does he lead his team in tackles, that total places him at No. 7 in the whole league.

His production has been particularly impressive because of the instincts and playmaking ability he brings to the linebacker position. Rodriguez has a natural feel for diagnosing offensive plays, allowing him to get into position quickly and make stops before opposing offenses can develop their attacks.

Those qualities were already evident during his time in Lubbock, but he has continued showing that his production can translate against NFL competition. His ability to create turnovers also makes him particularly valuable, giving defenses opportunities to change the momentum of games.

During his final collegiate season, he recorded 128 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and seven forced fumbles. His outstanding performance earned him the Butkus Award, the Lombardi Award, and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Rodriguez also received unanimous All-American recognition, further establishing himself as one of the nation's premier defensive players before entering the NFL.

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There were questions about whether his size would limit his effectiveness at the next level, but his early production has provided a strong answer. Rather than allowing those concerns to define his professional outlook, Rodriguez has continued making plays and proving his instincts can overcome physical limitations.

Moving from No. 43 to No. 13 in a re-draft is a significant accomplishment. With his rookie season still developing, Rodriguez has already given Texas Tech fans another reason to be proud of what the program produced in Lubbock.