Texas Tech University Athletics
Rodriguez a semifinalist for Walter Camp Player of the Year
November 12, 2025 | Football
Jacob Rodriguez was one of only six defensive players to be named a semifinalist on Wednesday
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was named to a semifinalist list for the third time this week Wednesday as he is one of 20 candidates moving forward for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award.
Rodriguez is one of only six defensive players to be named a semifinalist, joining Miami defensive tackle Rueben Bain Jr., Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs, Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell, SMU defensive back Ahmaad Moses and UConn linebacker Bryun Parham. The remaining semifinalists are comprised of 11 quarterbacks, two running backs and one wide receiver.
Rodriguez is the leader for one of the nation's top defenses as Texas Tech enters this Saturday's home finale with UCF ranked third nationally for both scoring defense, giving up only 12.6 points per game, as well as takeaways with 23 already this season. Texas Tech is also the nation's leader in rush defense as the Red Raiders are allowing only 73.8 yards per game on the ground.
The success defensively has helped push Texas Tech to a 9-1 start to its season, including a 6-1 mark in Big 12 play. The Red Raiders control their own path to the Big 12 Championship Game, needing wins over UCF this Saturday as well as at West Virginia on Nov. 29. Texas Tech moved up to No. 6 nationally in the latest College Football Playoff rankings that were unveiled Tuesday night on ESPN.
Rodriguez continues to garner significant national attention for his play leading the Red Raiders, specifically in terms of takeaways. He has produced eight so far this season, all during Big 12 play, thanks to an FBS-leading seven forced fumbles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Rodriguez has found the end zone once, himself, bringing back a fumble recovery he forced 69 yards for a touchdown a few weeks ago in the win over Oklahoma State.
His ability to give the ball back to the Red Raider offense has placed Rodriguez in a select category of players who have impacted the game at the highest level. In fact, Rodriguez is one of two FBS players since 2005 to have at least five forced fumbles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries all in the same season, joining former Buffalo standout Khalil Mack in 2013. His seven forced fumbles are already ranked tied for seventh since the NCAA began tracking the category beginning with the 2000 season.
Rodriguez leads the Red Raiders with 91 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss, the second-highest total on the team behind only David Bailey's 15.0 stops. Bailey is the FBS leader with 11.5 sacks already this season. Rodriguez is coming off 14 tackles this past weekend in Texas Tech's win over previously No. 7 BYU as he also had a fumble recovery and key interception.
The Walter Camp Award previously tabbed Rodriguez as its National Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday, one of four national honors this week alone. He was also named the top national defensive performer by the Bednarik Award, the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Panini Senior Bowl. He was one of two conference players to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week accolades, an honor he received for the third time this season and second time in as many weeks.
In addition to the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, Rodriguez is also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Lombardi Award. Finalists for each of those awards will be named in the coming weeks.
Rodriguez will be back in front of a national audience Saturday when No. 6 Texas Tech hosts UCF at 2:30 p.m. CT inside Jones AT&T Stadium. Coverage will be provided on FOX and the Texas Tech Sports Network.
