Texas Tech football star Jacob Rodriguez’s tour of the national awards circuit didn’t end in December. Neither has his continuing to pile up more honors.
The Red Raiders’ linebacker has been named winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, which is presented “to the college player demonstrating exceptional leadership, courage and integrity.”
The ninth-annual award was presented on Thursday, April 16, at The Star in Frisco. Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood, Rodriguez’s position coach, accompanied him at the event.
The other two finalists were Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher and Notre Dame offensive tackle Aamil Wagner.
In December, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior from Wichita Falls Hirschi won the Butkus Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Lombardi Award and the Bednarik Award. He also was a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
Rodriguez was credited with 128 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, and 6 pass breakups during the 2025 season. He was most known for generating takeaways with an FBS-best 7 forced fumbles, as well as 4 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries.
He helped the Red Raiders go 12-2, win the Big 12 championship and make the College Football Playoff, all firsts for the program. Tech landed in the Orange Bowl, also a program, and suffered a season-ending 23-0 loss to Oregon.
Rodriguez is now preparing for the NFL draft that unfolds next week from Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25, in Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football star Jacob Rodriguez adds another national award
Reporting by Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
