Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez flashed the Heisman Trophy pose after making a big play in the team’s 29-7 victory over the BYU Cougars on Saturday.
Texas Tech entered the game ranked No. 8 in the country, while BYU held the No. 7 spot. The Red Raiders received a significant boost from Rodriguez in the third quarter.
Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier dropped back to pass, only to find Rodriguez in coverage. The linebacker tipped the ball to himself and secured the interception. After being brought down, Rodriguez nailed the iconic Heisman pose.
Patrick Mahomes, current Kansas City Chiefs star and former Texas Tech standout, took notice and endorsed Rodriguez, tweeting on X, “Get him to New York.”
Rodriguez admitted after the game that his teammates encouraged him to strike the pose. He put together an impressive stat line with 14 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
When ESPN’s Holly Rowe asked if he thought he was now in the Heisman Trophy conversation, Rodriguez responded, “I sure hope so.”
So far this season, Rodriguez has recorded 74 total tackles, five pass break-ups, a sack, seven forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
Texas Tech currently holds a 9-1 record and is expected to climb in the College Football Playoff rankings when the new spots are announced Tuesday night.
Rodriguez and head coach Joey McGuire have frequently discussed the Heisman Trophy. McGuire emphasized the linebacker’s elite level of play, saying, “The Heisman is given to the best football player. It’s not given to the best quarterback; they have awards for that. If you can’t say that Jacob Rodriguez, at his position, is not playing at an elite level, as good as anybody in the country, that kid deserves to be part of that.”
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