Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez Named Finalist for Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award
Jacob Rodriguez has had a season to remember-and it’s not over yet.
The Texas Tech linebacker was named one of three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award on Tuesday, adding yet another honor to what’s quickly becoming a historic campaign. This particular recognition goes beyond tackles and trophies-it highlights leadership, character, and the kind of presence that elevates a locker room.
Rodriguez is joined on the finalist list by Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher and Notre Dame offensive lineman Aamil Wagner. But what sets Rodriguez apart isn’t just his on-field dominance-it’s how he’s helped shape the Red Raiders' culture from the inside out.
According to Texas Tech Athletics, Rodriguez has been a cornerstone of the team’s leadership structure since last January, working closely with captains quarterback Behren Morton and linebacker Bryce Ramirez to build what head coach Joey McGuire has called the “healthiest locker room” he’s seen in more than three decades of coaching. That’s no small praise from a coach with 31 years in the game.
And while the Jason Witten Award focuses on leadership, it’s impossible to ignore the monster season Rodriguez has had between the lines. In just the past two weeks, he’s racked up some of the most prestigious defensive honors in college football: the Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Lombardi Award, and the Pony Express Award (shared with teammate David Bailey). That’s not a trophy case-it’s a museum wing.
Rodriguez becomes just the second Red Raider to be named a finalist for the Jason Witten Award since it was established in 2017, following in the footsteps of Tony Bradford Jr., who earned the same recognition in 2023. That kind of continuity speaks to the leadership culture Texas Tech is building-and the kind of players they’re developing.
The winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award will be announced on April 16 in Frisco, Texas. But whether Rodriguez takes home the trophy or not, his impact on and off the field has already left a lasting mark on the Red Raiders program.