Texas Tech Linebacker Wins Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award

Jacob Rodriguez is a potential draft target for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:08am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a football linebacker, with sharp geometric shapes and planes representing the player's athleticism and impact on the game.The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award honors the top FBS player who exemplifies exceptional leadership, integrity, and sportsmanship, qualities that could make Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez a valuable addition to the Dallas Cowboys' defense.Dallas Today

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has been named the winner of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, an honor given annually to the FBS college football player who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, courage, integrity, and sportsmanship both on and off the field. Rodriguez is considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft and is a potential target for the Dallas Cowboys, who have a pressing need at the position.

Why it matters

Receiving the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award is a significant honor that speaks to Rodriguez's character and leadership abilities, which are highly valued by NFL teams like the Cowboys. As a potential second-round pick, Rodriguez could be a valuable addition to the Cowboys' defense if they are able to select him in the upcoming draft.

The details

Rodriguez, who had a formal meeting with the Cowboys at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, is ranked as the third-best linebacker in the 2026 draft class. He is praised for his instincts, tackling ability, and ball-hawking skills, despite some concerns about his ceiling due to age, injuries, and size. The Cowboys, who currently do not have a second-round pick, will have to decide whether to use their first-round selection (No. 20 overall) on Rodriguez or try to trade down and acquire additional draft capital to secure him.

  • On Thursday, April 17, 2026, Jacob Rodriguez received the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin one week after Rodriguez's award win, on April 24, 2026.

The players

Jacob Rodriguez

A linebacker from Texas Tech University who was named the winner of the 2026 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, an honor given to the FBS college football player who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, courage, integrity, and sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Jason Witten

A former Dallas Cowboys tight end and future Hall of Famer who had a highly successful NFL career, winning five All-Pro selections and 11 Pro Bowls. Witten also received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2012 for his exemplary work off the field.

Christian Parker

The new defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, who Rodriguez spoke positively about, saying he believes Parker and his staff will do great things for the team.

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What they’re saying

“I think the biggest thing is they're just great people. I believe that they're great coaches and (Christian Parker and his staff) are going to do a lot of great things this year.”

— Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech Linebacker

What’s next

The Dallas Cowboys will have to decide whether to use their first-round pick (No. 20 overall) on Jacob Rodriguez or try to trade down and acquire additional draft capital to secure him, as they currently do not have a second-round pick.

The takeaway

Jacob Rodriguez's Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award highlights his strong character and leadership abilities, which are highly valued by NFL teams like the Dallas Cowboys. As a potential second-round pick and a top linebacker prospect, Rodriguez could be a valuable addition to the Cowboys' defense if they are able to select him in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.