Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez returning to Lubbock in 2025

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, a First Team All-Big 12 selection who led the conference with 72 solo tackles, announced his return for a final season.
Carter Yates

The wins keep piling in for Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire this week.

He hired two of the most underrated assistant coaches to be his new coordinators in Houston DC Shiel Wood and Texas State OC Mack Leftwich. Then, he flipped Texas A&M offensive guard commit Connor Carty on Signing Day. Now, First Team All-Big 12 linebacker Jacob Rodriguez announced he will return for a final season in Lubbock. 

"Coach McGuire has been a mentor and role model for me, and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with the new staff," Rodriguez wrote in a statement. "I want to see this program take the next step."

Rodriguez led the Big 12 Conference with 72 solo tackles and led Texas Tech with 10 tackles for loss and five sacks. He'll return with Ben Roberts to form the lynchpin of Wood's inaugural unit in 2025.

Rodriguez's decision is similar to the one running back Tahj Brooks made at the end of last season to pass up the NFL Draft for one final season of eligbility. Brooks became Texas Tech's all-time leading rusher. Time will tell what Rodriguez does. 

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