Brian Bosworth – a legendary two-time unanimous All-America linebacker at Oklahoma known for his alter egos from "The Boz" to the "Sheriff of Fansville" – poured on superlatives about Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez during the keynote address at the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet on Dec. 8 in Charlotte.
"Jacob Rodriguez is the devil on defense," Bosworth said. "He has been the 'Nightmare on Game Street‘ all season with his Freddy Krueger-ish skill set."
It takes one to know one. Rodriguez had the look of a vintage 80s linebacker. He rocked a full mustache and accessorized his tuxedo with a black cowboy hat at the Nagurski Trophy banquet. Yet the imposing exterior does not match the persona of the most decorated defensive player in college football this season.
Rodriguez is without question one of the good guys. He accepted the Nagurski Trophy before taking countless pictures with spectators from the event. A few feet away from the trophy, his father Joe Rodriguez chatted with Cal general manager Ron Rivera – who received the Legends Award that night. The Rodriguez family enjoyed the rewards of success from a breakout season with a genuine appreciation that stands out more than the NIL price-tag narrartive that followed Texas Tech in 2025.
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"The season has been phenomenal throughout the year for so many reasons," Joe Rodriguez told AllSportsPeople. "The fact we are even in the discussion coming where we came from? I absolutely love it – wouldn't change anything at all."
Jacob Rodriguez finished with a FBS-best seven forced fumbles. He compiled 117 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four interceptions. He was the centerpiece for No. 4 Texas Tech, which allowed 10.9 points per game. The Red Raiders won the Big 12 championship and now face No. 5 Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday.
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Jacob Rodriguez's 2025 college football awards
Michael Strauss
On the morning of the Nagurski Trophy ceremony, Jacob Rodriguez took time to shake hands with every guest at breakfast. Rodriguez's wife Emma – an active-duty U.S. Army helicopter pilot – talked with Virginia Military Institute defensive back Kouri Crump – who won the Defender of the Nation Award. Joe and Ann Rodriguez simply enjoyed the experience.
"It's the recognition of all of his work all of these years and for the whole team," Ann told SN. "Just to be nominated. He said, 'If I win any of these awards it's just icing on the cake. Everything that has happened this year, it is just all extra icing.'"
Rodriguez swept the Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player), Butkus Award (best linebacker), Lombardi Award (best lineman or linebacker) and Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player). It made for a busy week. The day after Texas Tech beat No. 11 BYU 34-7 at AT&T Stadium, the Rodriguez family traveled to Newport Beach, Calif., for the Lott IMPACT Trophy ceremony. The family flew to Charlotte the next day – then Houston later in the week for the Lombardi Award. Ann – who wore a "10" necklace – is like any other proud mother. It is worth adjusting the work schedule – and who would not enjoy this moment?
"It's only a few days of our life, right?" Ann said. "So I'll be OK and ready to sleep in a few days."
Rodriguez, meanwhile, was grateful for the recognition. He also finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting – and probably should have been in New York, too. He admitted to being tired – but it was worth it.
"I've had nothing but great things to say and great people I've met," Rodriguez told SN. "I can sacrifice a little bit of sleep for all this."
SN AWARDS: 2025 All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year
Jacob Rodriguez's unconventional path to Texas Tech
When Joe Rodriguez talks about his son's path – it comes from an earnest place. Jacob was a four-sport athlete and three-star recruit from S.H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas. He went to Virginia as a quarterback in 2021. The Cavaliers used him at multiple positions, but nothing quite fit.
Rodriguez transferred to Texas Tech the following season – and he remembers his parents' reaction to the plan to switch positions from QB to linebacker. He has to pause to find the right phrase.
"Taken back," Rodriguez said. "It wasn't something that they had thought of. They trusted me. They believed in me, and they wanted to support me as hard as they could. The only way they knew how was to love me even harder. I appreciate them for that, everything they've done for me and for the experience."
Ann Rodriguez had a feeling that Jacob would thrive with the change – even if the sample size was limited.
"In high school he did play defense a few times and when he did – he would smack them down and make really impactful plays," she said. "He's so passionate – I literally had no doubt he would succeed."
Jacob Rodriguez suffered a mid-foot sprain in 2023 – so it wasn't until last season that he broke out with 127 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Texas Tech finished 8-5. Rodriguez then took that to the next level in 2025.
Jacob Rodriguez on Texas Tech's CFP outlook
Joe Rodriguez painted the scene at the Big 12 championship game. He couldn't find a section that didn't have Red Raiders fans in attendance at Jerry World.
"You get the butterflies before every game," Rodriguez said. "That doesn't change for a dad. You're sitting there waiting, and then 'Boom' – all of a sudden the ebb and flow of the game starts. By the time we got to halftime, it was 'Game over. Who's next?'"
Jacob Rodriguez had 13 tackles in the victory against the Cougars. Texas Tech won its first Big 12 championship in school history. Defensive linemen David Bailey, Lee Hunter and A.J. Holmes Jr. Were among the Red Raiders recognized by All-America teams during award season. The Red Raiders ranked third in scoring defense (10.9) and third in total defense (254.4 yards per game). It is an elite defense on the level of No. 1 Indiana and No. 2 Ohio State.
"We communicate so well and we run around and fly around," Rodriguez said. "There is no fear when we play on defense because we know we have 10 other guys who are running their butts to the ball as fast as they can."
There is a chance to validate all of it against the Ducks at the Orange Bowl. Oregon is favored in the matchup, and the Big 12 has not won a national championship since No. 2 Texas beat No. 1 USC in the BCS championship game at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 4, 2006. Those schools are in the SEC and Big Ten now. Rodriguez summed up the locker-room mood after the victory against BYU.
"It was an interesting feeling because we had been talking about a Big 12 championship for years. It's something that has been our goal and to get there and win the way that we did – the game was the fun part," Rodriguez said. "The celebration after – it was fun – but you could still feel that the team had more. So we're excited for that. Super excited for this year, everything that this team has become and becoming – and I think we have so much more to give."
So does Rodriguez. He will get a shot at the next level. Zach Thomas – the last Texas Tech linebacker to be named a unanimous All-American in 1995 – was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Rodriguez will be an intriguing prospect because of an all-around game.
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Rodriguez soaked in every second in the Nagurski Trophy aftermath. Rodriguez would take hundreds of pictures, but he made sure to hug his parents and wife one more time.
"I always believed he would be in the NFL someday," Ann Rodriguez said. "I couldn't have dreamt this up with the year that he is having. I never thought he would be up for all these awards and stuff like that. That didn't even enter my space. It has been a super extra fun ride."