Summer is here, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay.
Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans.
So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.
Player Information
Player: Jacob Rodriguez
School: Texas Tech
Height/Weight: 6-1/230 lbs.
Player Background
– 3-Star Recruit
– Transferred from Virginia to Texas Tech
– First-Team All-Big 12 in 2024
– History Major
Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season
– 189 Tackles
– 15 Tackles for a Loss
– 5 Sacks
– 2 Interceptions
– 6 Forced Fumbles
Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season
– 78.3 PFF Run Defense Grade
– 63.5 PFF Coverage Grade
– Missed Tackle Rate of 16%
– 71 Defensive Stops
Player Traits
– Good instincts to find the ball carrier
– Thrives in the run defense aspect of it all
– Runs downhill and can get into the backfield
– Fast hands to shed blocks’
– Sideline to sideline range as a defender
Player Summary
Jacob Rodriguez is a throwback type of linebacker on the Red Raiders’ defense in 2025. He transferred there from Virginia and has turned into a hammer on that side of the ball, and it makes the Texas Tech defense worth watching. The team has really made that side of the ball a focus, and the fact that Rodriguez is the one leading it speaks volumes to his leadership. On top of it all, he is rangy in his coverage ability of being able to cover sideline to sideline, but he also can run downhill if need be. He won’t be super impressive to most, but he is a fun player to watch play the linebacker position.