Texas Tech Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Named Butkus Award Winner
Friday night in Dallas was supposed to be a quiet evening of mental preparation for Texas Tech. The team was holed up in their hotel, visualizing the Big 12 Championship matchup against BYU. In a surprise presentation that sent the room into a frenzy, Jacob Rodriguez was officially named the 2025 Butkus Award winner. NFL legend DeMarcus Ware and Matt Butkus, son of the icon himself, delivered Rodriguez the news.
This isn’t just another trophy for the case; it’s a massive slice of history. Rodriguez is the first player in Texas Tech history to take home the award given to the nation’s top linebacker. To put that in perspective, the last time a Red Raider brought home a national individual award, Patrick Mahomes was slinging passes in 2016.
A Defensive Nightmare For the Big 12
If you’ve watched a single quarter of Texas Tech football this year, this announcement shouldn’t shock you. Rodriguez has been playing like he has a personal vendetta against offensive coordinators.
Let’s look at the resume, because it reads like a video game stat line on rookie mode. Rodriguez has racked up 101 tackles, which is impressive enough on its own. But it’s the “chaos factor” that separates him from the pack. He leads the entire FBS with 7 forced fumbles. That is an absurd number. Most linebackers dream of forcing one or two in a season; Rodriguez is knocking the ball loose every other week.
Add in 4 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries, and you start to see why opposing quarterbacks probably check under their beds for No. 10 before they go to sleep. He’s the only FBS player since 2005 to combine five forced fumbles, two recoveries, and four picks in a single season.
Rodriguez Does It All
The voters likely fell in love with his versatility. Rodriguez isn’t just stuffing the run or dropping into coverage (where he holds a stellar grade); he’s also moonlighting on offense.
Because apparently dominating one side of the ball wasn’t enough fun, Coach Joey McGuire started tossing Rodriguez into the backfield as a Wildcat quarterback. The result? Two rushing touchdowns against UCF and West Virginia. He is the definition of an “athlete” in an era where specialists usually reign supreme.
The Heart Of the Red Raiders
Beyond the flashy stats and the offensive cameos, Rodriguez has been the emotional anchor for a defense that has allowed only 11.3 points per game. He is the guy rallying the troops, the one setting the tone in the locker room, and the driving force behind an 11-1 record.
“Jacob’s performance this season has placed him in a select category,” Coach McGuire said, beaming during the announcement. “He has been a tremendous leader for this team.”
As Texas Tech heads into Arlington to face BYU for the conference title, they do so with the certified best linebacker in the country leading the charge. The Butkus Award confirms what everyone in Lubbock already knew: Rodriguez is in a league of his own.
