Jacob Rodriguez, Jacob Garza, Fernando Carmona vie for scholar-athlete award
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Carlos Leon-Trejo, Contributor
- September 26, 2025
Garza, Rodriguez, Carmana named semifinalists for William V. Campbell Trophy
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and the Red Raiders are off this weekend, but that hardly has stopped the senior from Wichita Falls’ impressive run. Rodriguez was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award.
Rodriguez, Arkansas offensive lineman Fernando Carmona Jr. and University of Houston long snapper Jacob Garza are among 178 semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy. The trophy is awarded by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
After forcing a fumble, making an interception and securing 11 tackles against Utah last weekend, Rodriguez was named National Defensive Player of the Week by both the Bednarik Award and the Walter Camp Foundation.
Rodriguez was also named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and the Senior Bowl National Defensive Player of the Week. Not surprisingly, Pro Football Focus selected Rodriguez to its Big 12 Team of the Week.
Grad student
Rodriguez, who is Our Esquina’s 2025 Latino Preseason College Football Player of the Year, earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies last December. In a sport that often highlights quarterbacks and wide receivers, it’s not common that a long snapper earns national recognition. Garza, a senior from Corpus Christi, has done just that.
Garza, Carmona and Rodriguez are among 78 FBS nominees selected by the NFF for their excellence in academics, athletics and community leadership.
The 12-16 finalists who will be announced on Oct. 22. They’ll receive a $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as members of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments.
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The winner’s postgraduate scholarship will increase to $25,000. The NFF will announce the winner at the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas on Dec. 9. Carmona is considered one of the best offensive linemen in America. It’s a testament to their leadership skills that all three are captains at their respective schools.
Leaders
Garza’s impact is undeniable as a long snapper. His field awareness helped the Cougars avoid a blocked punt in two of the last three seasons. His leadership was also recognized when he served as captain against Rice in Week 2. With four Academic All-Conference awards and CSC Academic All-District honors, Garza is recognized as one of the country’s top scholar-athletes.
Off the field, Garza’s character reflects the values of service and humility that’s common in Latino culture. He interns with the Houston Athletics grounds crew and volunteers for the National Marrow Donor Program.
Carmona, who transferred from San Jose State ahead of the 2024 season, was a two-time Mountain West All-Academic selection before earning SEC Academic Honor Roll honors last year. The two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week earned a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in the spring of 2025. Now he’s pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Exploring Arts and Sciences.
Carlos Leon-Trejo
Contributor
Carlos Leon-Trejo is a co-host on the Bring on the Blitz! podcast on the Our Esquina network. A graduate of the University of Houston-Victoria, Leon-Trejo teaches fifth grade math and science in Houston ISD.
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