Overview
- Rodriguez became the first Texas Tech player to claim the Lombardi Award, topping finalists David Bailey, Cashius Howell and Kadyn Proctor at the Rotary Club of Houston gala.
- He added the honor to this week’s Butkus Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy, was voted AP Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and earned USA TODAY Sports first-team All-America.
- The senior posted 117 tackles with 11 for loss, seven forced fumbles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries, leading FBS in forced fumbles.
- Pro Football Focus rated him the nation’s highest-graded player this season, reinforcing a breakout year after his conversion from quarterback to linebacker at Texas Tech.
- Texas Tech is 12-1 with a Big 12 title, the No. 4 CFP seed and a first-round bye, and will play the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1 against the winner of Oregon vs. James Madison, despite Rodriguez not being named a Heisman finalist.