Rodriguez is the rare linebacker whose football IQ is so high it functionally adds half a step to his speed — he's arriving at the spot before the ball does because he diagnosed the play two beats earlier than everyone else. The turnover production is not a fluke: 13 forced fumbles and 6 interceptions across two full seasons reflect genuine ball skills and a violent mentality at the point of contact that will translate to any scheme. The size limitations (6-1, 231) are real and will cost him when NFL guards get to the second level and square him up, and his man coverage ceiling against dynamic receiving threats is capped. But in a zone-based defense that lets him read, flow, and attack, Rodriguez has legitimate every-down starter upside with an unusually high floor thanks to the most productive two-year stretch by a college linebacker in recent memory.

• 🧠Elite football IQ and play recognition — former QB background gives him pre-snap processing that shows up consistently in run diagnosis and zone coverage anticipation
• 💥Prolific turnover creator with rare ball skills for a linebacker (13 FFs, 6 INTs over two seasons), including the ability to track the ball in the air and time hits to jar it loose
• 🦬High-motor defender who plays with relentless effort and physicality from snap to whistle, consistently showing up in pursuit and cleanup plays
• +Outstanding combine performance validated film traits: 4.57 40, 6.90 three-cone (best among LBs), 4.19 shuttle (best among LBs), 38.5-inch vertical, 9.23+ RAS
• 🗺️Effective zone coverage defender with awareness and timing to close throwing windows underneath, comfortable operating as an overhang defender in sub-packages

• 🪵Undersized frame (6-1, 231, 30.875-inch arms) leads to getting swallowed by climbing offensive linemen at the second level — block shedding against bigger blockers is a legitimate concern
• 💥Tackling technique is inconsistent: defaults to throw-his-body/big-hit approach rather than wrapping up, producing a higher-than-ideal missed tackle rate
• 🔒Man coverage ability against NFL-caliber tight ends and slot receivers on vertical routes is limited — will get exposed when isolated in space against dynamic athletes
• 🚀Pass rush impact is purely opportunistic — not a scheme-driven blitzer, limiting his value in third-down sub-packages for some defenses