Texas Tech has one of the best defenses in college football, allowing just 12.6 points per game. One of the biggest reasons for Texas Tech’s success on defense is senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who leads the team in tackles and forced fumbles as a leader of the 9-1 Red Raiders. Rodriguez’s scouting report evaluates what makes him one of the best players in college football and how well his skill set might translate to the NFL.
Jacob Rodriguez Scouting Report
Oct 25, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Jacob Rodriguez (10) leaves the field before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Measurables:
Height- 6’1″
Weight- 230 lbs
Background:
Rodriguez attended Rider High School, where he was a three-star quarterback recruit in the class of 2021. He committed to Virginia and appeared in 12 games his freshman season for the Cavaliers. As a freshman, Rodriguez played multiple positions on offense, recording 56 rushing yards and 65 receiving yards. After one season at Virginia, Rodriguez transferred to Texas Tech in 2022, where he made the position change to linebacker. He missed most of 2023 due to injury. However, he was among the defense’s top contributors in the five games he played.
Rodriguez emerged as a star player in 2024, starting in all 13 games. He led the Big 12 in tackles with 127 and was also the team leader in tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles. In 2025, Rodriguez is once again the team leader in tackles and forced fumbles. He is also currently the highest-rated linebacker in college football, according to PFF.
Strengths:
Rodriguez is an incredible playmaker. He is a high-IQ linebacker, and with his great instincts and play recognition, Rodriguez is able to fill the stat sheet and make impact plays. Through the first 11 weeks of the season, Rodriguez has 91 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five pass deflections, and one sack. He also does a great job forcing turnovers. Rodriguez has three interceptions and a nation-leading seven forced fumbles, along with two fumble recoveries as well. His ability to force fumbles has been a consistent part of his game throughout his college career. Rodriguez forced three fumbles in 2024 and had two forced fumbles in just five games in 2023.
He is a great run defender who plays with a high motor and is quick to get downhill.Rodriguez is a strong all-around defender who currently has the highest run defense grade and highest coverage grade of all linebackers in college football, according to PFF.
Weaknesses:
The main weakness for Rodriguez is that he lacks top-tier physical traits. He is a slightly undersized linebacker at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, and he doesn’t have elite athletic ability, which might limit his man coverage ability against more athletic players. He also needs to improve his consistency as a tackler, as he has a few too many missed tackles.
NFL Projection:
Rodriguez is an experienced and tough player who flies all over the field throughout the game, and he has a knack for making big plays and forcing turnovers. Rodriguez doesn’t have the athletic upside that some of the other top linebacker prospects in the draft class have, but with his instincts and ability to make plays against both the run and pass, Rodriguez still stands out as one of the better linebacker prospects in the draft class. He is currently projected to be an early Day 3 draft pick with a chance to maybe be a late Day 2 draft pick, and he has the skill set to potentially become an impactful starting linebacker in the NFL.
Main Image: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images