Texas Tech University Athletics
Saturday, November 29
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11 a.m. CT
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Rodriguez adds Bednarik Award to growing finalist list
November 25, 2025 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Texas Tech senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was named a finalist for the 31st Chuck Bednarik Award on Tuesday, honoring the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year presented by the Maxwell Football Club. Rodriguez is one of three candidates alongside junior safety Caleb Downs of Ohio State and senior defensive end Cashius Howell of Texas A&M.
Rodriguez adds the Bednarik recognition to a growing national awards list that already includes finalist nods for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Rodriguez spearheads one of the nation's top defenses in 2025 that enters its regular-season finale at West Virginia on Saturday, ranking first in rushing defense (71.8), fourth in scoring defense (12.3), and seventh in total defense (266.1), which has aided the Red Raiders in winning each of their 10 games by 20 points or more. Tech's 10 wins by 20 points are easily the most in the FBS, and place the Red Raiders in rarefied air, as only one Big 12 team previously has had more 20-plus point victories in a single season, which was Oklahoma in 2008 (11).
Texas Tech ranks second in the FBS with 25 turnovers gained this season, with Rodriguez responsible for nine takeaways himself in the Red Raiders' last eight Big 12 games. His overall resume includes a team-leading 100 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, seven forced fumbles, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, including one that he returned 69 yards for a touchdown. He's even seen the field on the offensive side, rushing for a score.
Rodriguez, who is the only FBS player since 2005 to have at least five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four interceptions in the same season, is the driving force behind the Red Raiders' 10-1 season and No. 5 CFP ranking that has squarely placed them in position for a Big 12 Championship Game berth and a bid for its first in the College Football Playoff appearance.Â
The Bednarik Award winner will be announced as part of the ESPN College Football Awards, which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12. The formal presentation of the Bednarik Award will be on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. Voting for the Bednarik Award will begin on Sunday, Nov. 30, and close on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10:45 p.m. CST. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA Head Football Coaches, Sports Information Directors, and selected national media.
Last season, the Chuck Bednarik Award was presented to Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter.
ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, the NFL Foundation, Bradford White, DCH Health System, SRA Inc, the ETC Foundation and the BABC Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.
ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS
PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced data collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football's charge into the world of analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major broadcast networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well. PFF's media network provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their thirst for deeper insights in the game.
The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.
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Rodriguez adds the Bednarik recognition to a growing national awards list that already includes finalist nods for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Rodriguez spearheads one of the nation's top defenses in 2025 that enters its regular-season finale at West Virginia on Saturday, ranking first in rushing defense (71.8), fourth in scoring defense (12.3), and seventh in total defense (266.1), which has aided the Red Raiders in winning each of their 10 games by 20 points or more. Tech's 10 wins by 20 points are easily the most in the FBS, and place the Red Raiders in rarefied air, as only one Big 12 team previously has had more 20-plus point victories in a single season, which was Oklahoma in 2008 (11).
Texas Tech ranks second in the FBS with 25 turnovers gained this season, with Rodriguez responsible for nine takeaways himself in the Red Raiders' last eight Big 12 games. His overall resume includes a team-leading 100 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, seven forced fumbles, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, including one that he returned 69 yards for a touchdown. He's even seen the field on the offensive side, rushing for a score.
Rodriguez, who is the only FBS player since 2005 to have at least five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four interceptions in the same season, is the driving force behind the Red Raiders' 10-1 season and No. 5 CFP ranking that has squarely placed them in position for a Big 12 Championship Game berth and a bid for its first in the College Football Playoff appearance.Â
The Bednarik Award winner will be announced as part of the ESPN College Football Awards, which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12. The formal presentation of the Bednarik Award will be on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. Voting for the Bednarik Award will begin on Sunday, Nov. 30, and close on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10:45 p.m. CST. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA Head Football Coaches, Sports Information Directors, and selected national media.
Last season, the Chuck Bednarik Award was presented to Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter.
ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, the NFL Foundation, Bradford White, DCH Health System, SRA Inc, the ETC Foundation and the BABC Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.
ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS
PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced data collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football's charge into the world of analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major broadcast networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well. PFF's media network provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their thirst for deeper insights in the game.
The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.
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Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballWill Jados Media Availability
Tuesday, November 25
Amier Boyd Media Availability
Tuesday, November 25
David Bailey Media Availability
Tuesday, November 25
Behren Morton Media Availability
Tuesday, November 25