Jacob Rodriguez had one of the best possible seasons a defender can have in college football. In 2025 alone, he won the Chuck Bednarik Award (NCAA defensive player of the year), the Dick Butkus Award (top linebacker in the NCAA), the Bronko Nagurski Award (best defensive player in the NCAA), the Lombardi Award (nation’s top player in the NCAA), and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Rodriguez has a full trophy cabinet, but can he add a Super Bowl ring to it with his skill set?

Rodriguez is physically gifted and can cover sideline to sideline with his 4.57-second 40-yard dash speed. Run defense is his calling card. The Rams’ run defense was one of the league’s best last season, only allowing 8 touchdowns on the ground. Rodriguez can make them even better, as he can help lower the yards per carry the Rams allowed (4.3).

Rodriguez is otherworldly when forcing turnovers. In his career, he has 13 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and six interceptions. This gives the offense more opportunities to cook. He played quarterback in high school, which gives him instinctual pre-snap awareness. His leadership ability raises the play of those around him. The only drawback to Rodriguez’s game is tackling and coverage, but these can be cleaned up with coaching.

Nate Landman was the leader of the Rams’ defense and signed a three-year extension last November. Omar Speights was also a starting inside linebacker, but his play remained inconsistent. Rodriguez has the potential to play alongside Landman or provide much-needed depth at the position.