After earning nearly every college football award available to a defensive player during the 2025 season, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is chasing an opportunity to play at the next level – beginning at this week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL.
Rodriguez, who played four seasons with the Red Raiders after beginning his college career as a QB at Virginia Tech, was a cornerstone piece of a defensive unit that led the country in yards per play allowed (3.94), pressures (16.6) and run defense (68.1 yards per game allowed) in 2025.
Most important to Rodriguez, though, was generating turnovers. Texas Tech led the nation in takeaways (32), and Rodriguez contributed 4 INTs and 2 fumble recoveries. He added 7 forced fumbles, the most among all FBS players in 2025.
"I think the first thing great defenses do is take the ball away," Rodriguez told NFL Network in Mobile on Wednesday. "We [Texas Tech] stop the run, and so it gives us an opportunity to go and attack the football. … When you've got 10 other guys running to the ball, you've got chances and opportunities to go and take the ball away and somebody is going to be there to pick it up."
Rodriguez has carried that philosophy into this week's sessions, picking up right where he left off in college. Rodriguez was disruptive during Wednesday's practice, forcing a fumble and recording an interception.
"What I do a lot is take the ball away," Rodriguez said. "So, I feel good about coming out here and continuing to do that."
Rodriguez, who finished his college career with 13 FF, 5 FR and 6 INTs, said he is aiming for consistency this week.
"I think I've put two good years on tape," he said. "[I'm aiming to] come out here and play with the best in the country, get to know these guys, get to know a new scheme and just go out and play fast and have fun."
In 2024, Rodriguez recorded a career-high 77 tackles and 5.0 sacks. And in 2025, he continued to dominate – recording career highs in TFL (11) and INTs (4). His 2025 campaign earned him the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awards presented to the nation's top defensive player, as well as the Butkus Award (presented to the top linebacker) and Lombardi Award (presented to the top lineman or linebacker). Rodriguez also finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2025.
"Rodriguez was one of the most productive players in college football last season," wrote Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst for ESPN who identified him as one of the standout prospects from Day 2.
He added: "The playmaking that led him to the fifth-place finish in Heisman polling showed up on Wednesday, as Rodriguez's strength and power coming downhill as a tackler led to a forced fumble in team sessions. The 6-foot-1, 233-pounder is an easy evaluation. The thumping linebacker is a Round 3 player with the ability to impact a pro defense as a starting Mike 'backer."
Rodriguez, who has been applauded for the mental side of his game, also stressed that he has the athleticism and work ethic needed to find success at the next level.
"I think I've got everything that I need … A big thing is preparing in the classroom," he said. "You've got to study, you've got to have power in routine, you've got to do the same thing every week to continue to get better."
Get a peek at the action going on in Mobile, Alabama with the best photos Wednesday's 2026 Senior Bowl practice.
American Team quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13), of LSU, looks to pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Aaron Anderson (2), of LSU, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Cole Payton (9), of North Dakota State, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Ja'kobi Lane (89), of USC, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Cyrus Allen (13), of Cincinnati, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Ja'kobi Lane (89), of USC, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team safety Jalon Kilgore (23), of South Carolina, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team tight end Joshua Cuevas (80), of Alabama, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (44), of Arizona State, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13), of LSU, throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team linebacker Namdi Obiazor (10), of TCU, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Malachi Fields (0), of Notre Dame catches a pass as American Team cornerback Malik Muhammad (7), of Texas, defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn head coach Alex Golesh watches practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer watches during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Taylen Green, of Arkansas, throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team defensive tackle Caleb Banks (88), of Florida, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team wide receiver Caullin Lacy (1), of Louisville, caries the ball as cornerback Hezekiah Masses, of California, defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Luke Altmyer (9), of Illinois, throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team coach Drew Terrell, of the Arizona Cardinals, runs through drills with players during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team defensive end TJ Parker (9), of Clemson, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team defensive tackle Lee Hunter (10), of Texas Tech, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team quarterback Diego Pavia (2), of Vanderbilt, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (86), of Wisconsin, catches a pass over National Team cornerback Jalen McMurray (24), of Tennessee during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team defensive end TJ Parker (9), of Clemson, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Devin Voisin (5), of South Alabama, runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team cornerback Collin Wright (6), of Stanford, breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Lewis Bond (11), of Boston College, during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team running back Kaelon Black, of Indiana, carries the ball as American Team linebacker Xavian Sorey, of Arkansas, pursues during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team running back Mike Washington Jr. (27), of Arkansas, carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team quarterback Taylen Green (10), of Arkansas, looks to pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
