Patrick Mahomes publicly supported the campaign for Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez to be considered for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, especially after his standout performance against BYU. However, despite the momentum generated by the NFL superstar’s endorsement, that goal ultimately did not come to fruition.
Even without a trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony, Rodriguez’s season at Texas Tech was nothing short of dominant. He collected several major individual honors, including the Bednarik, Butkus, Nagurski, Lombardi, and Pony Express awards. Now, he has been named one of three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award-an honor that goes far beyond on-field production and instead highlights leadership, character, and the impact a player can have on an entire institution, both on and off the field.
The selection committee narrowed an initial list of 20 semifinalists down to an elite trio. Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher joins Rodriguez as a finalist, along with Notre Dame offensive lineman Aamil Wagner.
Rodriguez’s case for winning the Jason Witten Award is a strong one. Beyond his play on the field, he balances his training with consistent community involvement, including regular visits to children’s hospitals and local schools, where he participates in outreach and service programs. Much of that work is done alongside his wife, who serves as an active-duty helicopter pilot in the United States Army.
Rodriguez, a cornerstone of Texas Tech
Patrick Mahomes has been central to the success and dynasty built by the Kansas City Chiefs, but in his heart, there has always been unfinished business with his alma mater, the Texas Tech Red Raiders. In 2025, that chapter took a major step forward as the program captured the Big 12 championship.
“Proud of them boys! Big 12 Champs! Congrats,” Mahomes wrote on social media.
The 34-7 victory over the BYU Cougars marked the defining moment of Rodriguez’s season. For the second straight year, he served as a team captain and, more importantly, as the architect of the Red Raiders’ defense. Over the course of the season, Rodriguez posted 117 combined tackles, 11 tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, two fumbles recovered, and seven forced fumbles.
Yet statistics are not what drive Rodriguez. While the $10,000 prize attached to the Jason Witten Award is something he is pursuing, it is not for personal gain. Instead, he plans to direct the funds to Texas Tech’s athletic scholarship fund, with the goal of helping guide more young athletes toward success-both on the field and beyond the game.
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