No. 6 Texas Tech has been one of the top teams in college football this season, thanks in large part to the defensive impact of linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. The senior has emerged as a centerpiece of the Red Raiders’ defense, helping power their rise in the Big 12 and national rankings.
As a result, Rodriguez earned a spot among PFF College’s top five Heisman candidates, standing out as the only non-quarterback on the list.
He has helped the Texas Tech Red Raiders reach an overall record of 9‑1, including impressive wins over No. 16 Utah and No. 7 BYU.
The Red Raiders’ only loss of the season came to the Arizona State Sun Devils in a 26‑22 defeat, one in which starting quarterback Behren Morton was sidelined with an injury.
This season, the standout linebacker has totaled 48 solo tackles, one sack, three interceptions, and seven forced fumbles. One of his top performances came in the win over Utah, where he posted 11 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception.
Rodriguez will have the opportunity to help lead Texas Tech to a College Football Playoff berth as the Red Raiders close out the regular season with matchups against UCF and West Virginia.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Alabama’s Ty Simpson, and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia round out the top five list.
