The NFL Combine is underway, and hundreds of young college talents will be showcasing their skills in front of coaches and analysts. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is one of them, as he hopes to get his draft stock up and get drafted by a top team.
He has impressed at college level with Texas Tech and is now looking to start a new journey in the NFL. However, a recent press conference he gave did not sit well with many fans.
Jacob Rodriguez gave viral press conference at NFL Combine
Rodriguez spent four seasons with the Texas Tech Red Raiders where he was a defensive star. He previously spent a year with the Virginia Cavaliers. He had 185 individual tackles, 302 combined tackles, 6 interceptions, 18 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles in his college career.
Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez celebrates a BYU turnover during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. via Imagn Images
Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez celebrates a BYU turnover during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. via Imagn Images
He won the Butkus Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik honors, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and consensus First-Team All-American status while leading the Red Raiders to their first conference title and College Football Playoff berth in the 2025 season. This makes him one of the most-talented linebackers to be drafted.
On February 25 at the NFL Scouting Combine, Rodriguez gave a press conference ahead of the event. He talked about and praised the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos, even mentioning a formal meeting with the latter team. He said regarding Denver, “Their program’s really aligned… I would love to play in Denver. Great organization, great coaches, great place to be.” But he did clarify that he will be “happy to just be drafted”.
When asked about the Combine, he said, “I’m doing everything tomorrow, but I’m not gonna bench on Friday.” His choice of teams ahead of the draft as well as not attempting to do the bench press has caught the attention of many fans.
Fans criticize Jacob Rodriguez for viral press conference
Many social media users attacked Rodriguez for singling out teams before the press conference, as well as not opting to do the bench press.
One user said, “No PR training clearly. You don’t want to single out teams like that”.
A second user wrote, “Mf choosing teams now ? 🤣🤣🤣”
A third user remarked, “Is Jacob Rodriguez is running from the fact that his wife can out bench him? Streets are talking Jakey.”
Another added, “dude scared to bench if you go to the combine do the drills”.
A fifth replied, “yikes can you even say stuff like that”.
A sixth commented, “LB opting out of bench??????”
Jacob Rodriguez will try to impress the teams at the NFL Combine in hopes of dramatically boosting his draft stock.