CHARLOTTE, N.C. (KCBD) - After not being named a Heisman Trophy finalist, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was named the winner of the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

The honor goes to the nation’s best college football defensive player.

Past winners include Luke Kuechly, Ndamukong Suh, Will Anderson Jr. and Aaron Donald.

This is the first time a Red Raider has been named the recipient of the award.

Rodriguez adds the trophy to his list after winning the Butkus Award and being named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

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