Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez on verge of history

As his Heisman campaign picks up in earnest, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez appears on the verge of making history while Fernando Mendoza and Diego Pavia also march toward major college football awards.

Rodriguez led the way in college football with four major awards/recognitions this week. He was the Big 12 Conference and Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week. Rodriguez also joined Mendoza and Pavia among the 20 players named semifinalists for the Walter Camp Award, which goes to the nation’s most outstanding college player.

It has been 55 years since Jim Plunkett became the first and only Latino to ever win the Walter Camp Award in 1970, the fourth year the award was presented.

Turnover machine

Rodriguez was also named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, presented to the college defense player of the year. He was also one of eight semifinalists for the Lott Impact Player of the Year Award. The Lott Award is given to the nation’s top defensive player “who also exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.”

No Latino has won the Lott Award since it was established in 2004. Rodriguez is a major reason the Red Raiders are No. 6 in the College Football Playoffs poll. He could also become the first Latino to win the Bednarik Award, which was first awarded in 1995.

Jacob Rodriguez had 14 tackles last weekend against then-No. 7 BYU. He has a team-leading 91 tackles. He also has 9.5 tackles for a loss. Nobody in FBS has forced more fumbles this season than Rodriguez, who has forced seven. 

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Rodriguez also has three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, highlighted by a 69-yard fumble return for a touchdown. According to Texas Tech’s research, Rodriguez is the second FBS player since 2005 to force at least five fumbles with two fumble recoveries and three interceptions in a season. 

Quarterback excellence with Mendoza, Pavia

Mendoza and Pavia were also among 20 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien Award, which honors the nation’s best college football quarterback.

Add @daveyobrien National Quarterback Award semifinalist to Fernando's resume. pic.twitter.com/PYW0XFhQA1

— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) November 12, 2025

Three finalists will be named on Nov. 25 for the O’Brien Award. The winner will be announced on Dec. 13.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, who is Mexican American, is the only Latino winner in the rich history of the Davey O’Brien Award. The former Alabama quarterback won the award in 2021.

Plunkett and Young are the only Latino winners of the Heisman Trophy. At this point, the Cuban American Mendoza is considered the front-runner for the 2005 Heisman.

But Pavia and Rodriguez, who would be a rare defensive player to win the Heisman, have time to make their Heisman cases before ballots are due in early December.