Texas Tech University Athletics
Rodriguez recognized as a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy
November 20, 2025 | Football
Jacob Rodriguez earned his second national finalist honor Thursday with the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was recognized as a national award finalist for the second time this week Thursday as he was four finalists named for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player.
Rodriguez is the lone Big 12 player and lone linebacker to be named a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy, joining a talented field that includes Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell and Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore. Rodriguez is the first Red Raider to be named a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy since Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Zach Thomas in 1995.
Rodriguez will attend the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, N.C., where the 2025 recipient will be formally named. He will then travel to Houston on Dec. 10 to attend the banquet for the Lombardi Award, which is presented to the nation's top lineman or linebacker.
Texas Tech ranks among the nation's top defenses this season thanks in large part to Rodriguez, who has taken the nation by storm with his ability to create turnovers. The senior is now up to 100 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and an FBS-leading seven forced fumbles, a stat line not seen in recent college football history. Dating back to 2005, Rodriguez is the only FBS player to record at least five forced fumbles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries all in the same season.
Rodriguez has had his hand in nine takeaways for the Red Raiders already this season, all during Big 12 play. He has produced at least one takeaway in each game during Texas Tech's current four-game winning streak, which was highlighted by a key interception and fumble recovery in a top-10 win over BYU. Rodriguez has been named a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week following each of the past three games and four times overall and has been the Nagurski Trophy's National Defensive Player of the Week twice.
His play has pushed the Red Raiders up the national defensive stat rankings, coming in at No. 2 nationally in turnovers gained (25) this week, No. 3 in scoring defense (12.3) as well as No. 8 in total defense (266.1 yards per game). Texas Tech is the only team in the country to currently rank in the top five for scoring defense, scoring offense and takeaways per game.
Rodriguez could add additional finalist honors in the coming weeks as he is also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy. He has already led No. 5 Texas Tech to a 10-1 start to its season and 7-1 mark in Big 12 play, marking the seventh 10-win season in program history.
The Red Raiders can clinch their first-ever appearance in the Edward Jones Big 12 Championship with a victory Nov. 29 in the regular-season finale at West Virginia. The Big 12 Conference previously announced that the regular-season finale has been held under a six-day window with the kickoff time and television designation expected by this Sunday morning.
