Jacob Rodriguez to Dolphins, Fans React to Heisman Candidate Going in 2nd Round of 2026 NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins started out the second round by adding a Heisman Trophy candidate to their defense.

The Dolphins selected Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with the No. 43 pick on Friday evening in Pittsburgh.

Rodriguez finished fifth in voting for the 2025 Heisman Trophy after racking up 63 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a sack alongside four interceptions in 14 games of his senior season.

Viewers expressed excitement as to what Rodriguez could bring to a Dolphins defense that allowed the seventh-most rushing yards in the NFL last season.

Rodriguez started out his college career as a quarterback at Virginia before transferring to Texas as a walk-on linebacker ahead of the 2022 season.

He ultimately became a cornerstone of the Texas Tech defense, a role which left him ranked as the No. 78 overall prospect and No. 7 linebacker on the final Bleacher Report big board.

B/R NFL scout Matt Holder described Rodriguez as "hands-down the best linebacker in college football this season."

Holder reported that Rodriguez "is a turnover machine with impressive instincts as a run defender," although he noted the linebacker "lacks NFL length/size (listed at 6'1", 235 pounds)."

Rodriguez will now look to prove he can succeed despite his size as the Dolphins consider how to fit him into the lineup.

With Jordyn Brooks at inside linebacker, Rodriguez could potentially play alongside middle linebacker Tyrel Dodson, per Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post.

Brooks has been connected to trade rumors surrounding the Dallas Cowboys' search for veteran linebackers, although the Cowboys already made a move Friday by dealing a fifth-rounder to the San Francisco 49ers for Dee Winters.