Jacob Rodriguez
Jacob Rodriguez is an American college football linebacker for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He previously played for the Virginia Cavaliers.
Rodriguez's seven forced fumbles in the 2025 season tied a single-season NCAA record.Early life
Rodriguez was born in Hastings, Minnesota, to Joe and Ann Rodriguez. He moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, with his family at age 10.
Rodriguez attended S. H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Virginia Cavaliers.Virginia
As a freshman in 2021, Rodriguez played all 12 games as a quarterback and a "football player," notching 10 carries for 56 yards and hauling in eight receptions for 65 yards. After the season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.Rodriguez transferred to play for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, where he switched to linebacker. In his first season with Texas Tech in 2022, he appeared in 12 games where he notched 29 tackles with two being for a loss, and a forced fumble. In week 10 of the 2023 season, Rodriguez notched six tackles in a win over TCU. He finished the 2023 season playing in just five games due to injury, where he totaled 32 tackles with one being for a loss, two pass deflections, an interception, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. In week 6 of the 2024 season, Rodriguez was named the Bednarik Defensive player of the week after notching 13 tackles with one being for a loss, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble in a win over Arizona. In week 10, he tallied 13 tackles with two and a half being for a loss, and two sacks in an upset win over Iowa State, earning Big 12 defensive player of the week honors.College statistics
Personal life
Rodriguez is a Christian. He married his wife Emma on July 1, 2023.