Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has been performing well this season. He has registered double-digit tackle numbers in five of the last nine games. His play gives the No. 6 Red Raiders enormous hope of qualifying for the college football playoffs.
He did not have a double-digit tackle game in Texas Tech’s 48-9 win over UCF on Saturday, finishing one shy with nine tackles. That didn’t stop Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and Red Raider great Patrick Mahomes from continuing to campaign for the senior’s Heisman trophy bid, despite the odds against him.
Patrick Mahomes Hypes Up Jacob Rodriguez’s Case for the Heisman Trophy
Jacob Rodriguez had another busy day in the office. He registered nine bone-chilling tackles in its big win over UCF. Six of those were solo tackles. These helped Texas Tech secure the game’s tempo and run away with its 10th win in 11 games this season.
Wichita Falls native Rodriguez added an interception and defended a pass, capping another complete game as a senior linebacker. Kansas City signal-caller and Red Raider product Patrick Mahomes believes Rodriguez is Heisman-worthy.
Mahomes had a short but powerful reaction on X following Saturday’s win, posting three double exclamation marks. The Kansas City QB’s post was either to emphasize his point that Rodriguez deserved to win this season’s Heisman Trophy or express superb excitement with another big performance in the Red Raiders’ victory over the Knights.
‼️‼️‼️ https://t.co/xiOFOj1XKf
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) November 15, 2025
The Kansas City superstar has been one of the top supporters of Rodriguez’s climb to the Heisman. Last week, the senior linebacker finished with 14 tackles, including nine solos, one tackle for loss, and one interception to help Texas Tech demolish BYU 29-7 and improve to 9-1.
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The team posted a tweet after the game that stated Rodriguez belongs to NYC, signifying he deserves to win the greatest individual prize for a college football player. Mahomes replied to the post that augmented the senior player’s status to bigger heights.
“Get him to New York! @Heisman Trophy,” Mahomes tweeted last week.
Get him to New York! @HeismanTrophy https://t.co/KGk6Gs0Lgy
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) November 8, 2025
However, Mahomes may have to hype up his campaign several notches more, as historically, the Heisman Trophy has had a bias towards offensive players, and voters tend to give their nods mostly to players who deliver excellent performances on the offensive side of the ball. The linebacker may be on the outside looking in due to his position, but his monstrous defensive proficiency gives him the right to be in the Heisman Trophy race.
Rodriguez has been a defensive beast for Texas Tech since Week 2 against Kent State. He had 10 straight games of at least five tackles and recorded a season-high of 14 twice against Kansas and BYU. He had 12 in the Red Raiders’ loss to Arizona State and came up with 11 and 10 tackles against Utah and Oklahoma State.
His hands are also active in forcing fumbles, recording seven FFs that generated two fumble recoveries. He has three interceptions for a 34-yard gain and defended five passes this season.
He will have another opportunity in Texas Tech’s last game against West Virginia on November 29, and a big defensive performance would solidify Jacob Rodriguez’s status for a Heisman Trophy mention by the end of the year.