There’s Nothing Wrong With Picking A Ballhawk
April 19th, 2026
All-American Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez.
Some 15 years ago, Joe became enamoured with a largely unknown linebacker who played for a team that was desperately grasping to return to powerhouse status, the blue chip program it had been for decades.
It’s really sad to see how far Nebraska has slipped in football prominence. For decades, there were a few handful of sure things in life: death, taxes, the sun rises in the east, sets in the west and Nebraska would win at least 10 games a year.
That began to unravel when Tom Osborne retired as Nebraska’s coach. Now, a good season for the Cornhuskers is when they can get one win over a team with a winning record. One!
For a couple of years under maniac Bo Pelini, Nebraska appeared to regain its swagger. It helped to have a monster on the defensive line like Ndamukong Suh — and some unheard of linebacker out of Miami named Lavonte David.
The thing that jumped out to Joe about David watching Nebraska games was he was always near the ball. It was an odd defensive play for Nebraska when you didn’t see No. 4 (David’s number at Nebraska) near the ball or, of course, tackling the ballcarrier.
Joe learned watching David that if a defender almost always shows up near the ball (or recording a tackle), it’s a safe bet this guy can ball in the NFL.
That’s the same mentality Joe’s good friend, NFL humorist/columnist Mike Tanier uses when describing Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
In his breakdown on inside linebackers, Tanier has Rodriguez as his No. 2 off-ball linebacker.
Rodriguez led the Big XII in solo tackles in 2024 and 2025. He forced seven fumbles last year. He finished fifth in the Heisman voting and won several of the major defensive trophies.
Rodriguez is not huge, nor is he an athletic marvel. He can get rocked by blockers, and he will miss a few tackles. But, by golly, Rodriguez ends up in the frame at the end of every single play from scrimmage!
[He] diagnoses plays as if he were in the offensive huddle. He sifts and disengages from blocks well. He takes great angles when working his way across the field. Rodriguez can be playing zone coverage on the boundary side and end up tackling the receiver on a screen pass to the field side for a minimal gain. When he’s the second defender on the scene, he’s looking to rip the football away. If there’s a loose football on the ground, he teleports into frame to scoop it up.
When evaluating off-ball linebackers, it’s best not to overthink things. A defender who always finds his way to the football at a major college program is likely to also find his way to the football in the NFL. Rodriguez has the potential to be a Zaire Franklin-type.
That’s exactly it. No need to overthink this. If a player is always near the ball, often making tackles, often forcing turnovers, often securing loose balls, it’s a safe bet he can play.
Why so many have Rodriguez falling to the second round is mystifying to Joe. Guessing it has to do with measurables.
Measurables cannot measure the heart.
But you know what, why can’t the Bucs take advantage of other teams’ mistakes and jump on Rodriguez if the Bucs trade down Thursday night, maybe even early in the second round?
Jacob Rodriguez might be the BEST linebacker in this entire draft class 👀🔥
Cowboys Nation… if there is ANY way to go get him, you make that move IMMEDIATELY‼️
This dude brings instincts, toughness, and straight-up playmaking ability to the field. He’s everywhere. Sideline to… pic.twitter.com/AszVibnTHw
— Law Nation Sports (@LawsNation) March 19, 2026
April 19th, 2026 at 11:10 am
The Bucs will be in a difficult position if they can’t trade down
They won’t draft a ILB with the 15th pick
And the top ILB JRod, CJ Allen, Anthony Hill Jr
And they won’t trade up for Styles
But if they really like JRod, just draft him at 15
And secure the player instead of second guessing
April 19th, 2026 at 11:16 am
Yup – just take him at 15. Safe pick and a game changer!
April 19th, 2026 at 11:18 am
Rodriguez, Allen, Hill will be gone when the Bucs draft in the 2nd round
Hill might be there, so they should just get their guy at 15
I think JRod has more value than Mesidor, Sadiq, McDonald at 15
I believe you can get a solid DT, OLB with the 2nd pick
But not a solid ILB, l know Bowles said there’s 10-12 good ones in this draft
But l don’t see 5-6 good ILB in this draft, maybe 5
Rodriguez
Allen
Styles
Hill
Louis
April 19th, 2026 at 11:20 am
But Kyle Louis can also be a SS
April 19th, 2026 at 11:25 am
I like CJ Allen, but l don’t he’s a better fit in Bowles defense
He more of a traditional 4-3: Mike LB
He’s comparable to Bobby Wagner
I believe JRod is the perfect fit in Bowles 3-4 schematic defense
April 19th, 2026 at 11:37 am
If this guy is still available at 15 providing Sadiq not gone, have to take him. He is 2026 version of Carson Schwesinger. Schwesinger didn’t enjoy the expert blessing in 2025. He was second round pick who ended up as DROY. Rodriguez likely to follow suit.
April 19th, 2026 at 11:46 am
I already miss Lavonte David.
April 19th, 2026 at 11:46 am
I really want this kid.
15 seems too rich. It maybe isn’t for the impact he could have.
Ideal world, Bucs trade back a couple spots, get Mesidor or McDonald and then use the extra ammo to move up in the 2nd and snag J.Rod.
April 19th, 2026 at 11:58 am
^^^^I like that world
April 19th, 2026 at 11:59 am
I don’t think J-Rod makes it past the Cowboys second pick in the 1st round.
April 19th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
These so-call draft experts were all over Detroit GM Brad Holmes
For drafting Jahmyr Gibbs at 12, and Jack Campbell at 18
They was giving Detroit a C grade, but a D for first round
The reason for the C, because of Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch in the 2nd round
That draft turned the Lions franchise around overnight
Now they are talking the Lions had one of the best draft ever
If you like a player, then draft the player
Why draft another player, you like less?
Because the so call experts give him a lower grade?
April 19th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
trenches at pick 15 mcdaniel or ioane.
April 19th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Lakeland. What makes you think JRod couldn’t play strong safety? He’s as natural a hybrid as I’ve seen.
April 19th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
He could play SS
He can play different positions in Bowles schemes
April 19th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
I thought Joe was talking about Barrett Ruud.
April 19th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
I’m thinking about leaving the retirement life behind. If 32 “professional” scouting staffs can’t see this guy is one of the top 5 football players in this draft then they need to up their game. I reckon I could be vying for a GM job in no time. Which is important considering I’m having a hard time staying awake through an entire day. Have to write a Power Nap into my contract.
April 19th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
My thought- I think the Bucs try to move back but stay above 20 (Dallas’ second pick). If Dallas takes Sammy Styles at 10, I don’t think they worry anymore and move back a bit further. Really depends on if Dallas gets Styles if what I think is going on is really happening…
April 19th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
I don’t believe they’ll ever be what they once were. Which would be impossible expectations in today’s environment. Especially, with having zero ‘recruiting base’ whatsoever, in the state of Nebraska – nowhere even near a HS hotbed of talent. And, I mean, you are talking about a good 40 YEAR RUN with a once in a lifetime, legendary head coach (really two, going back to the 60’s). I absolutely LOVED Tom Osbourne, and was SO happy to see him finally, get a national title.
With this said, I actually do see them getting much better than they have been over the past 20+years. I can see them having some great seasons here and there, every few years, and actually competing for the ‘playoffs’ once it is expanded to 24-teams. I have been noticing that they’ve been investing a literal TON of $$$$ in ALL of their sports. And, I don’t believe there is a more perfectly BEAUTIFUL stadium in the entire country, than Nebraska’s Memorial stadium. Now, that is just hands down, PERIOD. It is a CLASSIC. Just soooo CLEAN. I mean, the arial views are pure PERFECTION. And, they’ve just announced a $600-MILLION refit.
Their Basketball program seems to be heading in the right direction, and they have a newer state of the art arena there, too. Hell, ALL of their facilities are TOP NOTCH. I was just watching their Baseball team play Creighton this past week, and was just absolutely BLOWN AWAY with their baseball stadium. And, that was the main reason I watched (dvr’ed it), in the first place… Was to see what they’ve done with THEIR stadium. There has been a ‘national’ arms race across the country on NCAA baseball fields, over the past 5-10 years. I knew they had a very nice one, but I had no idea, that it was THAT NICE.
It rivals and would stand up to ANY SEC or other program’s field, in the entire country💯. It was REAL grass (and dirt too). The way it should be. I was SO impressed with it, that I had to ‘look it up’ on google. The playing surface is true Kentucky Bluegrass, and it was IMMACULATE. Pure Perfection. I actually, thought it could’ve been a ‘synthetic’ turf field. There is absolutely no reason for why “KENTUCKY” couldn’t have it too, IF they fricken can. I was extremely impressed.
Another thing, the facility where the Women’s Volleyball Team plays (and I think track and maybe swimming and a few other sports and training uses), is AWESOME. It is Very Nice. Also, state of the art. They have amazing facilities all around, and are investing LOTS of money. Hell, it’s a POWER-2 Program. They are poised to COMPETE. So, I see big-things ahead for Cornhusker Athletics. There’s some BIG $$$ in banking and insurance there, and with Warren Buffet and a few others. It looks like they’re opening their wallets, and are wanting to win. $600-MIL in upgrades upcoming to Memorial Stadium… Maybe, they should take some of that $$$ and spend it on PLAYERS.
I am still soooo impressed with that damn baseball stadium. I’d put it up against Oklahoma State’s all day long, for TOPS in the BIG12 Conference. I still really like O’Brate an awful lot, though LoL.
April 19th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Put Styles and JRod side by side. No contest, Styles wins the beauty contest. Run them in the 3 cones and short burst shuttles and JRod destroys Styles. Tackles. Tackles for loss. Passes defended. Interceptions. Forced fumbles. Instincts. JRod is alot better. Styles is darn good- really good. He’s not nearly as good as JRod. My fear is he’s gone before we get a chance at him.
April 19th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Jacob Rodriguez should be a Buccaneer. Make it happen, Jason Licht.
April 19th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
If Baker were a linebacker he’d look just like Rodriguez. Would be thrilled to see him in pewter.
April 19th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
JRod will get taken in the 1st round. I would be shocked if he doesn’t
April 19th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Joe, Tom Osborne was a great one. I remember OU Nebraska and the Game of the Century. Heismann winner Johnny Rodgers from Nebraska and his punt return to beat us. But that was an outlier. I hate Nebraska to this very day- almost as bad as I hate the Longhorns. And I’m so happy to report that Barry Switzer beat Osborne 12 of 17 matchups. Poor Tom Osborne looked like he was about to cry almost every year when we’d beat his a$$. Great football player’s on those teams and I ain’t whistling Dixie.
April 19th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
No thanks Barrett Ruud II
April 19th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
If we want the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense to get back to its identity, we need to be fast, young, and nasty again. Enter JR..
Jacob Rodriguez makes a lot of sense. He brings sideline-to-sideline speed, strong instincts, and plays downhill with intensity. He can stop the run, hold his own in coverage, and most importantly he plays with an edge.
That kind of energy is exactly what this defense needs to get back to being aggressive and feared! We all clearly bleed this team and we’re tired of the soft cookie cutter mess we’ve witnessed the past two seasons. Get your man at 15!
LFG
April 19th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
The Bucs aren’t one player or position away. They need several. It’d be great to get a superstud but at this moment they have to get some starters
Where? The D. In particular ILB, DL, CB and EDGE. And at their spot the EDGE is iffy so they’d better fill all the other gaps for sure. BTW the Messidor pick is a reach; we’ve seen he’s a good college player but has limited upside for the pros. Better to choose a top prospect for LB than a good chance at EDGE.
People don’t seem to pay attention to other teams’ wants. There are a bunch of teams looking for LBs so JRod and Allen are unlikely to reach the second round, much less the 45th pick. Lawrence from UCF OTOH could well last into the early third round.
For trade downs Pittsburgh is in play — they can’t possibly use all twelve picks. Same with Baltimore. Miami is rebuilding and has eleven picks so has the muscle to pay us to move up from 30 to 15. Or the Seahawks, with just 4 picks, might think about trading out of 32 to get more choices, though we don’t have a lot of picks to offer them.
April 19th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
Bowzo will ruin him.
April 19th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
He reminds me of Luke Kuechly, without the concussions. If he becomes a pro bowl LB he’s well worth the pick.
April 19th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
He appears to be an impact player from day one. The Bucs can use 2 or 3 impact players on D!! The inside linebacker should be a high priority!! Forget trading down!
April 19th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
I keep hearing everyone concerned about Akeem Mesidor age, but Rodriguez is just a year younger at 24
April 19th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Absolutely need Rodriguez, Allen or Hill at ILB. Trade down to about 23 and grab extra 2nd round pick. Must keep SVD on special teams. Hire LVD as LB coach.
April 19th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Terrific article. This guy looks great and kinda does remind me of LVD, watching those highlights.
April 19th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
“Rodriguez is not huge, nor is he an athletic marvel.”
He’s 6′ 2″, 230lbs, runs a 4.57, has a 9.60 RAS – that’s getting pretty close to being a marvel (an earlier RAS of 9.23 is out there, that was based on incomplete testing, his final numbers turned out better than estimated).
Him, Hill, and Kyle Louis – I’d be happy with any of the three, ideally getting 2 of the 3 and you should be set at ILB for the next decade (hopefully).