Going into the 2025 college football season, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez will be a name to follow.
The Wichita Falls native was one of multiple players with area ties listed on the 2025 preseason All-Big 12 team. Rodriguez, a senior linebacker for the Red Raiders, was also named the conference’s preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Rodriguez is coming off a productive 2024 season, where he posted 127 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, four pass deflections and one interception.
In total, Baylor led all area programs with four preseason All-Big 12 selections. Texas Tech followed closely with three, while TCU saw two players selected. Arizona State star Jordyn Tyson, an Allen product, also earned the preseason honor.
Sports Roundup
Here’s a look at the full preseason All-Big 12 team:
2025 preseason All-Big 12 team and awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt
Defensive Player of the Year: Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
Newcomer of the Year: Utah QB Devon Dampier
Offense
QB: Sam Leavitt, Arizona State (RS-So.)
RB: Bryson Washington, Baylor (RS-So.)
RB: Jahiem White, West Virginia (Jr.)
FB/H-Back: Will Swanson, Kansas State (Sr.)
WR: Eric McAlister, TCU (Sr.)
WR: Chase Roberts, BYU (RS-Sr.)
WR: Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State (RS-Jr.)
TE: Joe Royer, Cincinnati (RS-Sr.)
OL: Ben Coleman, Arizona State (Gr.)
OL: Spencer Fano, Utah (Jr.)
OL: Bryce Foster, Kansas (RS-Jr.)
OL: Caleb Lomu, Utah (RS-So.)
OL: Jordan Seaton, Colorado (So.)
PK: Will Ferrin, BYU (RS-Sr.)
PR/KR: Josh Cameron, Baylor (RS-Sr.)
Defense
DL: David Bailey, Texas Tech (Sr.)
DL: Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati (RS-Sr.)
DL: C.J. Fite, Arizona State (Jr.)
DL: Lee Hunter, Texas Tech (Sr.)
DL: Domonique Orange, Iowa State (Sr.)
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (Sr.)
LB: Austin Romaine, Kansas State (Jr.)
LB: Keaton Thomas, Baylor (RS-Jr.)
DB: Xavion Alford, Arizona State (RS-Sr.)
DB: Bud Clark, TCU (Sr.)
DB: Jeremiah Cooper, Iowa State (Sr.)
DB: DJ McKinney, Colorado (Jr.)
DB: Jontez Williams, Iowa State (RS-Jr.)
P: Palmer Williams, Baylor (Jr.)
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