AUSTIN, TX — Two Texas Linebackers were recently named finalists for the Butkus award, an honor given annually to the nation's top linebacker. Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez and Texas' Anthony Hill both made the list.
They are joined by Georgia’s C.J. Allen, Indiana’s Aiden Fisher, and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese as finalists.
Jacob Rodriguez - Texas Tech
Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez
(Credit: texastech.com)
Rodriguez’s breakout season has fueled Texas Tech’s rise to No. 5 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings and helped elevate the Red Raiders into one of the nation’s most dominant defenses. Texas Tech enters its regular-season finale at 10-1 and leads the FBS in rushing defense while ranking in the top 10 nationally in both scoring and total defense.
Rodriguez played his high school football in Texas at Rider High School in Wichita Falls.
No player in the country has been more productive in creating takeaways than Rodriguez. The senior has contributed to nine of Texas Tech’s 25 takeaways — tied for second nationally — with seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four interceptions. According to NCAA records dating back to 2005, Rodriguez is the only FBS player in that span to record at least five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four interceptions in the same season.
Rodriguez also leads Texas Tech with 100 tackles and is the only player in the FBS this year with both an offensive and defensive touchdown. He returned his own forced fumble 69 yards to the end zone against Oklahoma State and later scored on a Wildcat carry in Tech’s win over UCF.
Texas Tech travels to Morgantown on Saturday, November 29, to attempt to clinch a spot in the Big 12 Championship when the Red Raiders take on West Virginia. The game kicks off at 11 a.m.
Anthony Hill - Texas
Texas Longhorns Anthony Hill Jr.
(Credit: texaslonghorns.com)
Hill is a junior for the Longhorns this season and has played in 40 games in three seasons with 32 starts. Through 10 games in 2025, Hill leads the Longhorns with 69 total tackles (37 solo) and three forced fumbles. He ranks on the team in tackles for loss (7), sacks (4), and interceptions (2). He's also added three forced fumbles.
Anthony Hill Jr. played his high school football in Texas at Denton Ryan.
The Longhorns' defense ranks third this season in the FBS in sacks (3.36 per game), sixth in 4th down conversion percentage defense, sixth in opponent yards per rush attempt (2.8), and eighth in rushing defense (92 ypg).
Hill and the Longhorns welcome the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium for the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28.
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