Jacob Rodriguez position change: How Texas Tech star went from QB recruit to All-American linebacker……(his wife is a Blackhawk Pilot) 01/01/26 07:27 AM
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The Texas Tech Red Raiders are making their first-ever College Football Playoff debut, set to take on the Oregon Ducks in the Orange Bowl quarterfinal matchup.
A big reason for Tech's success this season is how well linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has been playing. He leads the Red Raiders in tackles with 117 total stops on the year, and has helped lead Texas Tech into an elite defense this season.
But what you may not know about the veteran linebacker is that he actually only started playing defense once he got to Texas Tech in 2022, previously starting his career at Virginia as a QB…
Prior to him transferring to Texas Tech, the Red Raiders coaches informed him he would not be joining as a quarterback. Although it took some time, Rodriguez started figuring out the defensive side of things in 2022.
Unsurprisingly, Rodriguez cleaned up during the college football awards season. Here's a look at each award he took home:
Chuck Bednarik Award (nation's top defensive player)
Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker)
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player)
Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman or linebacker)
Pony Express Award (nation's top duo with David Bailey)
Despite a campaign for him to be a Heisman finalist, was not invited to New York City. Even still, the linebacker impressively finished fifth in Heisman voting, receiving 17 first-place votes.
Jacob Rodriguez position change: How Texas Tech star went from QB recruit to All-American linebacker……(his wife is a Blackhawk Pilot)