Jacob Rodriguez
Career Summary
Jacob Rodriguez is a Wichita Falls, Texas, linebacker who became a decorated Texas Tech defender before Miami selected him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rodriguez began college as a Texas Tech walk-on after initially signing with Virginia as a quarterback. Miami chose him 43rd overall in 2026.
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Early Life
Rodriguez spent part of his childhood in Minnesota before moving to Wichita Falls, Texas, at age 10.
He won two youth Minnesota state wrestling championships before his family moved to Texas. He later met his future wife, Emma, in Wichita Falls.
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High School
Rodriguez attended Rider High School in Wichita Falls and was a quarterback prospect.
Texas Tech described Rodriguez as one of the leading quarterbacks in Rider High School history. He initially signed with Virginia as a scholarship quarterback before changing paths to defense.
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College Career
Rodriguez developed from a Texas Tech walk-on into one of college football's most productive linebackers.
He started 31 career games. In 2024, he recorded 127 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks; in 2025, he posted 128 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, and four interceptions while helping Texas Tech win the Big 12.
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Path to the NFL
Rodriguez's 2025 award-winning season and turnover production led to his second-round selection.
He finished his college career with 317 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 13 forced fumbles, six interceptions, and five fumble recoveries. Miami selected him with the 43rd overall pick.
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NFL Career
Miami selected Rodriguez in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he started the team's 2026 season opener.
Miami chose Rodriguez 43rd overall. The Dolphins roster page recorded 14 combined tackles in his first regular-season game, a Week 1 start at Las Vegas.
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Career Accomplishments
Rodriguez won the Butkus, Nagurski, Bednarik, and Lombardi awards in 2025.
He was a unanimous first-team All-American, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year.
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Playing Style
Rodriguez entered the NFL as an instinctive, productive linebacker with documented turnover creation.
Miami described his ability to diagnose plays, align teammates, anticipate route concepts, and defeat blocks with a quick first step. His 2025 college season included a national-leading seven forced fumbles.
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32479, 00-0041522, 9/6/2002, Jacob Rodriguez, Jacob, Rodriguez
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
MFT Score: 0.0
2026 preseason baseline. Position-relative and updated through the site’s weekly review process.