Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez: Shock Heisman Snub or Surprise Finalist?

Jacob Rodriguez has been lighting up the field for Texas Tech this football season — a linebacker whose relentless hustle and highlight-worthy plays had many folks wondering if he’d break through to contend for college football’s top individual honor. You know, the Heisman Trophy — that elusive prize usually reserved for flashy quarterbacks, speedy running backs, and dynamic receivers. Sure, Rodriguez racked up some serious hardware, including the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and the coveted Butkus Award. Yet, when the dust settled and the Heisman finalists were named, his name wasn’t among the final four. While his stats — 117 tackles, 7 forced fumbles, a handful of interceptions — scream dominance, the voting seemed to stick to tradition. Still, with Texas Tech riding high as the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff, and Rodriguez snagging nods for other prestigious defensive awards, this season’s story is far from over. Curious about how it all unfolded? Just click below to dive deeper. LEARN MORE

As Jacob Rodriguez filled up the highlight reel over the course of the Texas Tech football season, it was apparent the play-wrecking linebacker would be in the running for major national awards.

But would he become a serious candidate for college football’s most prestigious individual award? The Heisman Trophy, for the nation’s most outstanding college player, has been the domain of offensive skill-position players, usually quarterbacks, running backs and receivers.

It will stay that way this year. Rodriguez missed the cut to four finalists that were announced Monday, Dec. 9.

The remaining candidates are quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, Diego Pavia from Vanderbilt and Julian Sayin from Ohio State and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The winner will be announced and the award presented Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York.

More: Texas Tech football’s Jacob Rodriguez wins Butkus Award as top LB

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Rodriguez already has been honored as the Big 12 defensive player of the year and the winner of the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker. Through 13 games, he’s been credited with 117 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss. He also has an FBS-leading 7 forced fumbles, 6 pass breakups, 4 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.

He had earned the support of at least two former Heisman winners who are now college football analysts: former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III and former Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart.

Last week, Rodriguez was the consensus sixth pick of Heisman favorites, according to oddsmakers. That was going into the Big 12 championship game. Tech beat Brigham Young 34-7 for its first Big 12 title with Rodriguez making 13 tackles.

Tech (12-1) is the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff and will play in the Orange Bowl against the winner of No. 5 seed Oregon and No. 12 seed James Madison. The Orange Bowl is scheduled for 11 a.m. CST New Year’s Day at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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. — 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.

Rodriguez on Friday, Dec. 5, was named the winner of the Butkus Award, which bestows one such honor apiece to the nation’s top linebacker in high school, college and pro football. The fifth-year senior from Wichita Falls Rider became Texas Tech’s first winner of the Butkus Award, which originated in 1985.

Rodriguez and Tech edge defender David Bailey are two of the four finalists for the Lombardi Award, which honors the nation’s top linemen and linebackers. Rodriguez is one of four finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy that is scheduled to be presented later Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina. The award for the nation’s top defensive player also has Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore on the list of finalists.

On Sunday night, Downs won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, for which Rodriguez also was part of a four-man cast of finalists.

Rodriguez also is a finalist for the Bednarik Award and the Walter Camp national player of the year.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Did Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez make cut for Heisman finalists?