Rodriguez dominated college football with game-changing plays. Could his explosive instincts solve NFL defensive woes, even with size concerns?
Certainly, by now, every NFL scout knows who Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is. In 2025, he was the Tasmanian devil of college football. He was Superman without a cape. Rodriguez was the most dominant defender to ever come out of Wichita Falls, Texas.
During the 2025 season, the versatile Rodriguez (6-1, 235 pounds) could not be stopped or game-planned for. He made plays all over the field.
On defense, he racked up 128 tackles, 11 for loss, four interceptions and seven forced fumbles. Rodriguez posted seven games of double-digit tackles. On offense, he scored on direct snaps from the wildcat formation.
Not bad for a guy who first arrived at the collegiate level as a quarterback and finished fifth in the Heisman voting as a defensive player.
Rodriguez swept the national awards as he won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and the Bednarik Award.
Rodriguez ends his collegiate career at Texas Tech with 316 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, six interceptions and 13 forced fumbles.
NFL people speak of Rodriguez's traits and lack of size to play the position at the pro level. His football instincts and on-field production speak for itself. It would be a travesty of gridiron justice if teams passed on him because he was mis-evaluated.
Almost half of the NFL teams are in need of a talented linebacker, including the Cowboys and Texans. The Cowboys have eight draft picks, including two among the top 20. Houston has four picks in the top 70.
Bad personnel decisions by the Cowboys in free agency resulted in less than outstanding defensive play.
Rodriquez is an impact player who can make the defensive plays that both the Cowboys and Texans were missing this past season in the middle of their defense. It is only right that a native Texan continue his football journey at the pro level with an NFL franchise located in the Lone Star State.
Regardless of which team may select him, Rodriguez deserves to be on stage with the other top collegiate players and to hear his name called at the NFL Draft in the Steel City in April.