Jacob Rodriguez was one of the best players in all of college football in 2025, and his scouting report looks at how productive he might be in the NFL.
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Jacob Rodriguez 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Measurables:
Height- 6’1″
Weight- 231 lbs
Background:
Rodriguez attended Rider High School, where he was a three-star recruit in the class of 2021. He committed to Virginia and played in 12 games as a freshman, where he played multiple different positions for the Cavaliers. Rodriguez then transferred to Texas Tech in 2022 and moved to the linebacker position. He missed most of the 2023 season due to injury, but showed flashes as one of the top defenders on the team in the five games he played that season.
Rodriguez started all 13 games the next season in 2024 and broke out as a star player on the defense. He led the Big 12 in total tackles with 127, and led Texas Tech in tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles.Rodriguez continued his success in 2025, leading the Big 12 in solo tackles and forced fumbles. He helped lead Texas Tech to its first Big 12 Championship in program history and the first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. Rodriguez was named a unanimous All-American, won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and finished fifth place in Heisman voting.
Strengths:
The number one thing that stands out with Rodriguez is his football IQ and instincts. His play recognition is near the top of the class in this year’s draft. Rodriguez was an elite playmaker at Texas Tech and found a way to constantly put himself near the football and in a position to make a play. Rodriguez had 128 total tackles in 2025 and 127 tackles in 2024, with 63 solo tackles and 77 solo tackles over the last two seasons as well. He also recorded four interceptions and six pass deflections last season. Perhaps the most impressive number from his All-American 2025 season is seven forced fumbles. Rodriguez has an incredible ability to force fumbles and had 13 total forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries during his college career.
He plays with a high motor. In coverage, he reads the quarterback’s eyes well and has great ball skills. Against the run, Rodriguez is able to diagnose plays well and is quick to get downhill. Rodriguez led all linebackers in college football last season with a 94.8 PFF run-defense grade.
Weaknesses:
Rodriguez is a slightly undersized linebacker at 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds. He also lacks ideal arm length for the position, with a 30 7/8-inch arm length, ranking in the eleventh percentile for the position, according to Mockdraftable. Rodriguez can occasionally get stuck on blocks, and he can struggle to disengage quickly from bigger blockers at times. He also has an inconsistent tackling technique, and along with below-average arm length, it does lead to a few too many missed tackles. Rodriguez had a 13.9% missed tackle rate in 2025, according to PFF.
Potential Team Fits:
Chicago Bears
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL Projection:
Rodriguez is a linebacker with tremendous instincts who finds a way to constantly be near the football and aggressively attempts to force turnovers. He is an undersized linebacker and lacks ideal length for the position. However, he tested very well at the NFL Combine, and is also a quick processor, and is one of the best run defenders in this year’s draft class. Rodriguez is a player who could make an immediate impact as a rookie, and he has the potential to become a very good starting linebacker in the NFL.
2026 NFL Draft Big Board
Prospect Grade:
Second Round
Main Photo: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images