If the Heisman Trophy is truly awarded to the “most outstanding player” in college football, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez deserves serious consideration.

The senior from Wichita Falls strengthened his argument for a trip to New York with 14 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in the marquee win over BYU in Week 11. The typically quiet Rodriguez even accommodated his teammates when he hit the Heisman pose after the interception. 

“My guys, they wanted me to hit it,” he said after the win. “Just a rush of adrenaline.” 

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire was more emphatic with his case for Rodriguez in the postgame press conference. His star linebacker has recorded 91 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, three interceptions, and an FBS-high seven forced fumbles. Only two other players have caused more than three. He’s also registered a sack and recovered two fumbles, including one in the fourth quarter against BYU. 

The Heisman should go to a player who has made the most impact on his team and couldn’t be left out if we were telling the story of the 2025 season. Find me someone more fitting than Rodriguez. Two of the top three betting favorites after Week 11 – Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson – are great players, but those teams are always in the mix and neither are the catalyst for the 2025 season. The Heisman, for the most part, has become a quarterback award. 

But as McGuire pointed out after the game, it shouldn’t be. Ohio State is the top-ranked team in the country because of its defense and star wide receivers. Alabama’s defense ranks 13th nationally in points allowed per game. Ohio State is 18th in points scored and Alabama is 39th. 

We’ll buy that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza deserves to be the favorite and Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed should get an invite, but I can argue that Ohio State and Alabama would be in this position with five other quarterbacks. No one can argue that Texas Tech is a playoff contender if not for Rodriguez. 

“I’m 54 years old, I’ve grown up a football fanatic, I’ve probably watched every Heisman that I can remember,” McGuire told reporters after the BYU win. “But guys, the Heisman is given to the best football player. It’s not given to the best quarterback; they’ve got awards for that. And you can’t say that Jacob Rodriguez, at his position, is not playing at that level, at an elite level, as good as any guy in the country.” 

Don’t take McGuire’s word for it. PFF grades Rodriguez at a 93.5 this season, best amongst linebackers in the FBS by nearly two points. The next highest-ranked linebacker in the Power Four ranks, and the only other one with a 90+ grade, is Wisconsin’s Mason Posa at 90.3 and he’s played over 300 fewer snaps than Rodriguez. The only other defender with a higher PFF grade is Miami defensive end Reuben Bain Jr., who sits at 93.8. No. 3 is Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey at 92.5. 

But Rodriguez is fighting against history. Charles Woodson became the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman back in 1997, but his case was strengthened by highlight reel plays as a returner and occasionally on offense. Same with Travis Hunter, who won in 2024 because of his two-way ability. Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith finished third behind Baker Mayfield and Bryce Love in 2017. Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson placed second behind Bryce Young in 2021. There was also Ndamukong Suh in 2009 and Manti Te’o in 2012. 

He's also fighting against perception. The seven players with the best odds to win the Heisman right now play in either the SEC or the Big Ten. The eighth-best odds are for Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame. Twelve of the Top 14 play in the SEC, Big Ten or at Notre Dame. And 12 of the 14 play quarterback. No defender has better than +5,000 odds. 

Ironically, Rodriguez began his college career as a quarterback at Virginia before he returned home to West Texas and walked-on at Texas Tech ahead of the 2022 season. He landed at linebacker and told Robert Griffin III, a former Heisman Trophy winner himself, that he slept on his brother’s floor and took out a loan to keep his dream of college football alive. 

He's worked his way into a leadership role and is the clear-cut face – mustache and all – of the Texas Tech football team in 2025. The upstart Red Raiders are the class of the Big 12 and one of the biggest stories in college football. This season could be the spark of a long run in Lubbock. He’s getting ringing endorsements from his coaches, teammates, and former players like Patrick Mahomes. His current quarterback, Behren Morton, also believes Rodriguez should get a trip to New York. 

“This is a talented football team and it’s led by Jacob,” he said after the game. “That dude is, every time you look up, he’s at the ball every time. You know the way he can cause and flip momentum in a game. There’s not another player in the country that can do that. High praises for Jacob and I’m super happy for his success. He deserves a Heisman, for sure.”

Rodriguez agrees. When asked by Holly Rowe after the game if he thought he was in the Heisman Trophy conversation now, Rodriguez flatly stated, “I sure hope so.” 

Defenders have long been ignored for the Heisman Trophy. Rodriguez won’t win it, but he should be in the mix for an invite. He’s the most impactful player on one of the best units in the country, and he’s leading the Red Raiders to heights they’ve never achieved. If that doesn’t put him in the conversation for most outstanding player for the 2025 season, the award should get a new description and just admit that only players who score touchdowns on offense can win it.