If you needed any more proof that the Heisman conversation has officially taken a weird, beautiful turn, Robert Griffin III just handed it to you live on national TV. On Saturday’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show, the former Baylor quarterback and 2011 Heisman winner brought out Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and gave him the full-on Heisman endorsement in front of the cameras.
Yes, a linebacker. Yes, Texas Tech. And yes, RGIII really brought him out mid-show to hit the Heisman pose with the rest of the panel.
It was one of those moments that doesn’t just boost a player’s profile, it stamps it. There’s been a growing drumbeat around Rodriguez for a while now, and Griffin just turned that volume all the way up. He didn’t just toss out the idea. He backed it, called his shot, and gave a national TV spotlight to a guy most voters wouldn’t have even included on their radar a month ago.
Rodriguez didn’t flinch. He stepped out, smiled, threw the pose, and reminded everyone watching that this isn’t some cute campaign. He’s been the anchor of a Texas Tech defense that’s outperformed expectations all year. He’s showing up in big moments, leading from the middle of the field, and doing it all with the kind of consistency that doesn’t always get recognized, but absolutely should.
It’s hard for defensive players to get Heisman love. It’s even harder for linebackers in the Big 12, a league where people still act like defense is optional. But Rodriguez has changed that perception. He’s everywhere on tape, and now he’s front and center on TV. Griffin giving him the nod just gave the whole movement a jetpack.
RGIII lit the fuse. Now we’ll see how far Rodriguez can take it.
