Patrick Mahomes lends Texas Tech star support for Heisman Trophy consideration

Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez flashed the Heisman Trophy airs aft helium made a large play successful the team’s 29-7 triumph implicit the BYU Cougars connected Saturday.

Texas Tech came into the crippled arsenic the No. 8-ranked squad successful the state portion BYU was No. 7. The Red Raiders got the boost from Rodriguez successful the 3rd quarter.

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Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) is seen during an NCAA shot crippled against Arizona connected Oct. 5, 2024, successful Tucson, Ariz.  (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Cougars backmost Bear Bachmeier dropped backmost to walk lone to find Rodriguez successful coverage. The linebacker tipped the shot to himself and made the interception. After helium was brought down, Rodriguez nailed the pose.

Patrick Mahomes, the existent Kansas City Chiefs prima and erstwhile Texas Tech standout, endorsed Rodriguez.

"Get him to New York," Mahomes wrote connected X.

Rodriguez said aft the crippled that his teammates coerced him into striking the airs arsenic helium enactment unneurotic a 14-tackle crippled with an interception and fumble recovery.

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Emma Rodriguez, left, kisses her husband, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, earlier the NCAA assemblage shot crippled betwixt Texas Tech and BYU, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, successful Lubbock, Texas.  (AP Photo/Annie Rice)

ESPN’s Holly Rowe asked him successful the contiguous aftermath of the triumph if helium thought helium was successful the Heisman Trophy speech now.

"I definite anticipation so," helium said.

Rodriguez has 74 full tackles, 5 walk break-ups, a sack, 7 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. Texas Tech is 9-1 this play and are apt to determination up the College Football Playoff rankings erstwhile the caller spots are revealed connected Tuesday night.

Rodriguez said helium and caput manager Joey McGuire person talked astir the Heisman "a lot" and helium appreciates the support.

"The Heisman is fixed to the champion shot player. It’s not fixed to the champion quarterback; they person awards for that," McGuire said. "If you can’t accidental that Jacob Rodriguez, astatine his position, is not playing astatine an elite level, arsenic bully arsenic anybody successful the state … That kid deserves to beryllium portion of that."

Texas Tech Red Raiders antiaircraft backmost Jacob Rodriguez (10) leaves the tract earlier the crippled against the Oklahoma State Cowboys astatine Jones AT&T Stadium connected Oct. 25, 2025. (Michael C. Johnson/Imagn Images)

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The Heisman Trophy hasn’t been won by a sole defender since Charles Woodson successful 1997. Travis Hunter won it past year. He played cornerback and wide receiver for Colorado.

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