LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Jacob Rodriguez has a chance to add another trophy to his list of accolades for this season as he was named a finalist Tuesday for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
Rodriguez was selected as one of three finalists for the award. The award is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player’s leadership, both on and off the field.
Rodriguez was joined as a finalist by Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher and Notre Dame offensive lineman Aamil Wagner.
According to Texas Tech Athletics, Rodriguez has been praised for his leadership beginning last January for helping build a strong team culture alongside fellow captains in quarterback Behren Morton and linebacker Bryce Ramirez.
On multiple occasions, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire has called it the “healthiest locker room” he’s experienced in now 31 years of coaching.
Rodriguez has put together a historic season on his own as already the winner of the Bednark Award (nation’s top defensive player), the Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker), the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defensive player), the Lombardi Award (nation’s top lineman or linebacker) and the Pony Express Award (nation’s top duo with David Bailey) in the past two weeks alone.
Rodriguez is the second Red Raider to be named a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award since its inception in 2017, joining Tony Bradford Jr., who was recognized as a senior in 2023.
The ninth winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award will be announced at an award ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on April 16.
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