Jacob Rodriguez earned 1st-Team Associated Press All-American honors and was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and 1st-Team All-Big 12 in 2025 after recording 128 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions and an FBS-leading seven forced fumbles while winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award and Butkus Award and finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. He previously earned 1st-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2024 after totaling 127 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in 13 starts. Rodriguez appeared in five games with four starts in 2023 before a foot injury ended his season and played in 12 games as a reserve in 2022 after transferring from Virginia. He finished his collegiate career with 317 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, six interceptions and 13 forced fumbles.
Jacob Rodriguez’s Combine Results
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 231 | Arms: 30 7/8 | Hands: 9 1/4
40-yard Dash: 4.57 | 10-yard Split: 1.6 | Vertical Jump: 38.5
Broad Jump: 10-1 | 3-Cone: 6.9 | 20-yard Shuttle: 4.19 | Bench Press: DNP
Jacob Rodriguez (6.90) had the quickest 3-cone among 10 linebackers to complete the drill and also tied for the quickest 20-yard shuttle (4.19). Rodriguez measured and tested similarly to current Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Lance Zierlein on Jacob Rodriguez:
“Rodriguez arrived in college as an offensive “athlete” and leaves Texas Tech as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker. He’s uniquely productive, with elite tackle, interception and forced fumble production. He’ll occasionally bounce out of a run fit when chasing action, but he has the burst to race back inside and finish. He’s slippery working off blocks and navigating combo climbers. His lateral pursuit leaves the station on time and with a fast take-off. Rodriguez displays ballhawking instincts and outstanding hands but busted coverages were part of the package in 2025. His unbridled urgency and “make every play” mindset can inflate missed tackle totals, but the production should outweigh the occasional headaches. He projects as a long-term starting inside linebacker.”
Jacob Rodriguez’s Full 2026 NFL Draft Profile