Jacob Rodriguez helps Texas Tech hurdle Houston
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Carlos Leon-Trejo, Contributor
- October 5, 2025
Jacob Rodriguez nabs second interception in as many games
HOUSTON – Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez wasted no time Saturday night showing why he was named the 2025 Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
The Wichita Falls, Texas, native helped No. 11 Texas Tech’s defense take control early against the University of Houston before he exited early in the third quarter with tightness in his calf.
Rodriguez had five tackles (four solo), two tackles for loss and an interception that set up a Red Raider touchdown in a showdown between two undefeated Big 12 teams. He also broke up two passes in the 35-11 victory over the Houston Cougars.
Rodriguez’s sideline-to-sideline coverage disrupted the Cougar’s offense and gave Texas Tech favorable field position. The Red Raiders held Houston to only 267 yards of offense while knocking out starting quarterback Conner Weigman, who finished with a 27.0 quarterback rating.
Defensive quarterback
“He is the quarterback of that defense,” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said of Rodriguez. “He can get everybody lined up. Right or wrong, he gets them lined up.
“He gives everybody such confidence because he is very assertive, and there is not a lot of guessing. He is going to make the call and get us going, and he plays like his hair is on fire.”
Rodriguez, a four-sport athlete who played quarterback and safety at Rider High, began his college career on offense at Virginia in 2021. After he transferred to Texas Tech, he transitioned to the linebacker role and became a pivotal part of the Red Raiders’ defense.
Rodriguez finished the 2024 season with 127 tackles (78 solo), five sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. The 42,806 fans at TDECU stadium witnessed Rodriguez’s early dominance, which helped Texas Tech build a 25–11 halftime lead.
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Rodriguez didn’t seem concerned about his calf injury.
“I got bruised and just (had) a calf contusion,” he said. “It’s just hard for me to push off and I was fine.”
The Red Raiders opened with three field goals. Houston kicker Ethan Sanchez made a 24-yard field goal to cut Tech’s lead to 9-3. Texas Tech’s quarterback Behren Morton threw a 69-yard touchdown to running back Cameron Dickey.
Jacob Rodriguez returns interception 26 yards
Early in the second quarter, Rodriguez intercepted Weigman’s pass and returned it 26 yards after hurdling over running back Stacy Sneed. That pick, which was his second in as many games, set up running back J’Koby Williams’ touchdown run, which pushed Tech’s lead to 22–3.
With such a comfortable lead, the Red Raiders had no incentive to risk further injury to their star linebacker. Rodriguez hopes to be ready when Tech faces Kansas next Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium.
”I’m fine,” said the 2024 All-Big 12 First Team selection. “I just went out there, made a play, and then kind of just the coach’s decision to let it rest. We have a lot of belief and faith in everybody that goes on the field.
“They earn the right to play, and we trust everybody that goes out there. And so I had no problem with helping those guys out.”
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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