Spagnola: Sometimes It's Not All About the Numbers

After attending the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award ceremony, Mickey Spagnola found a guy the Cowboys should seriously consider drafting.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:30pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp planes of red, black, navy, and silver colors representing the competing teams and the multifaceted nature of the prospect's skills and personality.A cubist interpretation of the leadership and character that make Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez an intriguing NFL draft prospect for the Dallas Cowboys.Frisco Today

After attending the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award ceremony, veteran Cowboys reporter Mickey Spagnola was impressed by the winner, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. Spagnola believes Rodriguez's leadership, character, and inspiring personal story make him an ideal fit for the Cowboys, even if his draft projection may not be as high as some other linebacker prospects.

Why it matters

The Cowboys have struggled to find the "right kind of guy" on defense in recent years, according to team COO Stephen Jones. Spagnola believes Rodriguez embodies the leadership, character, and culture the team is seeking to rebuild its identity.

The details

Rodriguez, a two-time team captain at Texas Tech, won the Witten award over finalists from Indiana and Notre Dame. Despite being a high school quarterback recruited to Virginia, Rodriguez transitioned to linebacker and earned a scholarship at Texas Tech. He went on to become a first-team All-American, win multiple major defensive awards, and finish fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.

  • Rodriguez won the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award on April 16, 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place on April 23, 2026.

The players

Jacob Rodriguez

A linebacker from Texas Tech who won the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. He was a two-time team captain, first-team All-American, and finalist for multiple major defensive awards.

Jason Witten

A former Cowboys player who won the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2012. He is now the head coach at Liberty Christian High School and a first-year assistant at the University of Oklahoma.

Mickey Spagnola

A veteran Cowboys reporter who has covered the NFL Draft since 1985.

Stephen Jones

The Cowboys' Chief Operating Officer and co-owner, who discussed the team's need to rebuild its identity and culture on defense.

Dat Nguyen

A former undersized but smart and instinctive Cowboys linebacker who had a seven-year career with the team.

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What they’re saying

“This means everything. This is kind of the product of how I was raised. My parents did such an amazing job with me being the youngest and learning from my older siblings, and every coach and every person who's had a hand in shaping me into what I am today. Kind of who you need to be as a person, be a leader, be a great teammate and a great person off the field, I think means everything. Being nominated for this is unbelievable.”

— Jacob Rodriguez, Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award Winner

“In awe of his maturity. I think the best players and the best leaders that I've been around, the stage was never too big for them, and I think if you spend a few minutes with (Jacob) you see that pretty quickly. Any success he's had, and he's had his fair share of adversity and challenges he's had to go through, but I think there is a great sense of gratitude that he displays and communicates on receiving this award. And the questions that he asks say a lot about who he is and is the reason why he's so successful.”

— Jason Witten, Head Coach, Liberty Christian High School

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.