Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire took the initiative to address the possibility of linebacker Jacob Rodriguez being a contender for the Heisman Trophy during his post-game conference on Saturday, following the Red Raiders’ impressive 29-7 victory over BYU. McGuire emphatically stated that the prestigious award is not limited to quarterbacks, emphasizing Rodriguez’s performance at an elite level, comparable to any player in the country.
Rodriguez, a senior linebacker, showcased his skills with a standout performance, accumulating a team-high 14 tackles, along with an interception and a fumble recovery against BYU, ranked seventh in the College Football Playoff rankings. He currently leads all of college football with seven forced fumbles and holds a top position at Texas Tech with 84 tackles and three interceptions. Pro Football Focus ranks him fourth among defensive players with a remarkable 93.5 grade, contributing to a defensive unit that has been statistically dominant this season.
This stellar performance has spurred a grassroots Heisman campaign, with support coming not only from the Texas Tech community but also prominent figures like Patrick Mahomes, quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs. McGuire has also urged national sports media to recognize Rodriguez’s talent, highlighting that he leads the Heisman Trophy fan vote.
Despite the momentum, Rodriguez does not have listed odds for the Heisman Trophy from major sportsbooks as of Sunday morning, and he is not alone; his teammate David Bailey, who leads the nation in sacks, is also unlisted. Historically, it has been challenging for defensive players to secure the award, with the last defensive winner being cornerback Charles Woodson from Michigan in 1997. Furthermore, since Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel won in 2011 and 2012 respectively, no player from Texas has claimed the Heisman.
While the current favorites for this season are quarterbacks from playoff-eligible teams, such as Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson, the conversation remains open regarding potential candidates from Texas. Among them, Marcel Reed of Texas A&M stands out with impressive statistics leading the No. 3 Aggies. Conversely, some notable mentions also include Arch Manning from Texas and Drew Mestemaker from North Texas, both looking to solidify their cases moving forward.
As the season progresses, the Heisman Trophy race continues to evolve, keeping fans hopeful for a breakout moment for Rodriguez, who is enjoying an extraordinary season and showing that defensive players can indeed make a mark in the race for college football’s most coveted individual honor.