Jacob Rodriguez

NFL Draft Profile: Jacob Rodriguez

Position: Linebacker | School: Texas Tech | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'1" | Weight: 235 lbs | Archetype: Hybrid (Turnover Specialist)

College Career Summary

Jacob Rodriguez is the definitive "turnover machine" of the 2026 draft class. A former high school quarterback who began his college career at Virginia before transferring to Texas Tech, Rodriguez has developed into a unanimous All-American and the 2025 Butkus Award winner. His senior season was one for the history books; he led the nation with 7 forced fumbles and recorded 4 interceptions, making him the only FBS player in two decades to hit those benchmarks alongside multiple fumble recoveries in a single season. As the heart of a Texas Tech defense that ranked among the nation's best in 2025, Rodriguez proved that elite Play Recognition and a "nose for the football" can outweigh prototypical measurables.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 50+ (13 in 2025)

• Total Tackles: 293 (117 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 21.5 (11.0 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 13 (7 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 6 (4 in 2025)

• Pass Deflections: 12 (6 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B	Controlled the middle; high Leadership efficiency.
vs. Kent State	7 Tkl, 1 FF	B+	First forced fumble of a record-breaking season.
vs. Oregon State	7 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	B	Sound gap integrity; erased cutback lanes.
@ Utah	11 Tkl, 1 INT, 1 FF	A+	Season Best. Total takeover in a hostile environment.
@ Houston	8 Tkl, 1 INT	A-	26-yard INT return; displayed elite Agility.
vs. Kansas	14 Tkl, 1.0 Sk	A	Career-high tackles; showed Blitz Specialist traits.
@ Arizona State	12 Tkl, 2 FF	A-	Kept the team in the game despite the loss.
vs. Oklahoma State	10 Tkl, 1 FF, 1 FR	A	Scored a defensive TD on a 69-yard scoop-and-score.
@ Kansas State	5 Tkl, 2 FF	A-	Mental Toughness. Crucial late-game strips.
vs. BYU (Reg Season)	14 Tkl, 1 INT	A	Star power; consistently undercut passing lanes.
vs. UCF	9 Tkl, 1 INT	B+	Secure Tackling in space; tracked the ball well.
@ West Virginia	4 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	B-	Worst Game. Limited impact in a muddy trench battle.
Big 12 Title (BYU)	13 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	A	Commanded the nation's #1 rush defense to a title.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Turnover Creation: Rodriguez possesses a rare, instinctive knack for the football. His 7 forced fumbles in 2025 weren't accidents; he consistently targets the ball during the wrap-up.

• Football IQ: A former QB, his Play Recognition is top-tier. He frequently "beats the play to the spot," allowing him to play faster than his timed speed.

• Pro-Ready Production: He is a unanimous All-American and the best-graded run defender in college football (95.3 PFF), showing he can handle the rigors of a power-run game.

• High Motor: Rodriguez is a relentless Pursuit player. He does not stop until the whistle, often making tackles 20 yards downfield or on the opposite sideline.

Weaknesses

• Sub-Prototypical Size: At 6'1", 235 lbs, he is slightly undersized for a traditional "thumper" MIKE linebacker. He can struggle to disengage when 320lb guards lock onto him.

• Man Coverage Matchups: While excellent in zone drops (where he uses his eyes to bait QBs), he can be exposed in 1-on-1 situations against elite, twitchy NFL tight ends.

• Injury History: Missed significant time in 2023 with a leg injury. While he was medically clean and durable in 2025, scouts will check the longevity of his frame.

Scheme Fit: Ideal WILL Linebacker in a 4-3 or a MIKE in a hybrid 4-2-5 system.

NFL Comparison: Josey Jewell / Kiko Alonso

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 20/20 | Physical Tools: 16/20 | Attributes: 19/20 | Athleticism: 17/20 | IQ: 19/20

Final Grade: 91/100

Jacob Rodriguez is the most instinctive linebacker in the 2026 class. While he may lack the 6'4" frame that GMs drool over, his tape is undeniable. He is a "stat-sheet stuffer" who makes every player around him better through his Leadership and communication. In an NFL that is increasingly focused on generating turnovers, a player who forced 9 in a single season is a premium asset. He is a Day 1 starter who will likely become a defensive captain early in his pro career.

Draft Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round (Day 2 Staple)