New Miami Dolphins' rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, out of Texas Tech, comes from the same school as a couple of other great Dolphins linebackers, 2025 All-Pro Jordyn Brooks and Hall of Famer Zach Thomas.Rodriguez was asked about his relationship with both Brooks and Thomas during his introductory press conference, and he had a lot to say about the impact both have made during his time at Texas Tech."It means a lot to me. I think Jordyn has given me a lot of words of wisdom as I've gone through my years here, and then I was able to create a good relationship with Zach Thomas. He's been a mentor to me, and he's let me reach out to him for any questions I have.
It's a really cool experience to be in this position, to have guys who were in your same spot now; they're leaning into this experience just like you are right now," Rodriguez said. Jordyn Brooks played all four of his college years at Texas Tech from 2016-19. Brooks was a four-year starter for the program.
He made an impact on the field immediately by leading the team in tackles during his freshman year. During Brooks' senior year, he totaled 20 tackles for loss and went on to be selected 27th overall by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2020 draft.Rodriguez will potentially have a chance to play alongside Brooks this year and hopefully for many years to come in Miami. A prior relationship will help make Rodriguez's transition to the NFL smoother.
He can continue to learn from Brooks, who has become one of the best linebackers in the league.Rodriguez's other mentor out of Texas Tech is Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. Thomas is a legend for the Miami Dolphins, playing 12 years with the franchise from 1996-2007. Thomas was named an All-Pro five times and led the league in tackles twice.
He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2023 and was part of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team."(Thomas) just kind of reminded me of what he went through and this process that he kind of went through, and how he had to believe in himself and just hold true to what he's had and what he's earned. Especially being from West Texas, you got to work hard every day and that's kind of got to be your routine and so just feeding into a lot of the day-to-day stuff, and a lot of that we kind of elaborated on," Rodriguez said on what he learned from Thomas.Before his illustrious NFL career, Thomas was a three-year starter at Texas Tech from 1993-95.
He was named a unanimous All-American in 1995 and earned the honor of SWC Defensive Player of the Year in 1994 and 1995.Thomas expressed high praise for Rodriguez last season. "He's another level, the best defender we've ever had at Texas Tech," Thomas said of Rodriguez, per the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.Thomas' high praise of the Dolphins' rookie is certainly warranted after a spectacular 2025 season, where Rodriguez was honored as a unanimous All-American and Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Rodriguez also finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, the highest of any defensive player in college football."I take (Thomas') word very seriously, and I appreciate who he is and everything he's done and the mentor and the man he's been to me and to my family.
Yeah, it's unbelievable. It's super generous and super kind from him, and that just kind of shows you how great of a person he is and why he's so admired at Texas Tech and as well as in Miami," Rodriguez said.Rodriguez was a popular commodity entering this draft despite not being projected as a first-round pick. The connections he has with Brooks and Thomas will certainly help establish himself with the Dolphins early in his career. His development under Jeff Hafley's defense will be a story to watch all year in 2026.More Dolphins: Dolphins 2026 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick analysisThis article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Jacob Rodriguez details connection with two great Dolphins LBs