Texas Tech University Athletics
Rodriguez named Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year
April 16, 2026 | Football
FRISCO, Texas – Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez was named the 2026 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year on Thursday evening at The Star, with the award presented by former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, presented by Albertson's/Tom Thumb, is awarded to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best demonstrates an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship. Â
"I am really honored to present the ninth annual Collegiate Man of the Year to Jacob Rodriguez," said Witten. "He has been a true example of a great leader in his time at Texas Tech, not only becoming one of the best players in the nation, but in establishing himself as someone who set the standard for his program in the community, in the locker room and at home. He had some real challenges with how his college career began, but he persevered to become an inspiration to so many. He is a perfect example of what a college student-athlete can be."
Rodriguez capped his 2025 season as one of the most decorated players in program history, helping lead Texas Tech to its first Big 12 Championship and first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
The Jason Witten Award adds to a trophy case that already includes the Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Butkus Award. Rodriguez also finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, the highest among all defensive players in 2025, and received the fourth-most first-place votes.
Rodriguez began his collegiate career as a quarterback at Virginia in 2021 before walking on at Texas Tech prior to the 2022 season, transitioning to linebacker in pursuit of a roster spot. He quickly earned a scholarship and went on to earn back-to-back first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2024 and 2025. He served as a team captain both seasons and played a key role in uniting a talented roster into one of the nation's top defensive units.
Off the field, Rodriguez is an Academic All-Big 12 honoree and was recently named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. His wife, Emma, is an active-duty helicopter pilot stationed in Kansas, and together they have been active in the community, assisting the Veterans Food Bank of Lubbock and helping more than 60 veteran families this past holiday season. Rodriguez has been a pillar in the Lubbock community, regularly visiting local school districts and children's hospitals, and active with Habitat for Humanity, as a way to give back.Â
Rodriguez was chosen as the recipient of the award among three finalists, which also included Indiana's Aiden Fisher and Notre Dame's Aamil Wagner.
"Jacob is a very deserving winner of this award," said Witten. "It's very difficult for the selection committee to choose a winner from these three finalists. In fact, this year was the closest vote of all our previous awards. Aiden and Aamil are both outstanding leaders and have taken active roles on campus and in the community. All three of these men have extremely bright futures."
Rodriguez is the first recipient of the award in program history and the second finalist from Texas Tech, joining Tony Bradford Jr., who was honored during his senior season in 2023.
About the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award
The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. The inaugural award was presented to UCF's Shaquem Griffin in 2017. The second annual award was presented to Wisconsin's D'Cota Dixon in 2018. Tennessee's Trey Smith took home the honor in 2019, Sam Ehlinger of Texas won the award in 2020, Josh Paschal of Kentucky in 2021 and Deslin Alexandre of Pittsburgh in 2022. Virginia's Mike Hollins received the honor in 2024, and Kentucky's J.J. Weaver won the award last year.
— TECH —
The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, presented by Albertson's/Tom Thumb, is awarded to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best demonstrates an outstanding record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship. Â
"I am really honored to present the ninth annual Collegiate Man of the Year to Jacob Rodriguez," said Witten. "He has been a true example of a great leader in his time at Texas Tech, not only becoming one of the best players in the nation, but in establishing himself as someone who set the standard for his program in the community, in the locker room and at home. He had some real challenges with how his college career began, but he persevered to become an inspiration to so many. He is a perfect example of what a college student-athlete can be."
Rodriguez capped his 2025 season as one of the most decorated players in program history, helping lead Texas Tech to its first Big 12 Championship and first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
The Jason Witten Award adds to a trophy case that already includes the Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Butkus Award. Rodriguez also finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, the highest among all defensive players in 2025, and received the fourth-most first-place votes.
Rodriguez began his collegiate career as a quarterback at Virginia in 2021 before walking on at Texas Tech prior to the 2022 season, transitioning to linebacker in pursuit of a roster spot. He quickly earned a scholarship and went on to earn back-to-back first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2024 and 2025. He served as a team captain both seasons and played a key role in uniting a talented roster into one of the nation's top defensive units.
Off the field, Rodriguez is an Academic All-Big 12 honoree and was recently named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. His wife, Emma, is an active-duty helicopter pilot stationed in Kansas, and together they have been active in the community, assisting the Veterans Food Bank of Lubbock and helping more than 60 veteran families this past holiday season. Rodriguez has been a pillar in the Lubbock community, regularly visiting local school districts and children's hospitals, and active with Habitat for Humanity, as a way to give back.Â
Rodriguez was chosen as the recipient of the award among three finalists, which also included Indiana's Aiden Fisher and Notre Dame's Aamil Wagner.
"Jacob is a very deserving winner of this award," said Witten. "It's very difficult for the selection committee to choose a winner from these three finalists. In fact, this year was the closest vote of all our previous awards. Aiden and Aamil are both outstanding leaders and have taken active roles on campus and in the community. All three of these men have extremely bright futures."
Rodriguez is the first recipient of the award in program history and the second finalist from Texas Tech, joining Tony Bradford Jr., who was honored during his senior season in 2023.
About the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award
The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player's leadership, both on and off the field. The inaugural award was presented to UCF's Shaquem Griffin in 2017. The second annual award was presented to Wisconsin's D'Cota Dixon in 2018. Tennessee's Trey Smith took home the honor in 2019, Sam Ehlinger of Texas won the award in 2020, Josh Paschal of Kentucky in 2021 and Deslin Alexandre of Pittsburgh in 2022. Virginia's Mike Hollins received the honor in 2024, and Kentucky's J.J. Weaver won the award last year.
— TECH —
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