With the NFL regular season set to begin this week, Texas Tech football fans will be keeping a close eye on Red Raiders at the next level. Of course, one fan favorite that will garner plenty of interest is Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
Texas Tech fans expect Rodriguez to be a star in the NFL after his illustrious college career. It appears that the Dolphins expect quite a bit from him too, since he has been named their green-dot player on defense. What's more, he's the only rookie in the NFL with that honor for his team to begin 2026.
Every NFL team is allowed one player on the field at a time on offense and on defense to have a one-way, in-helmet communication device connected to the coaching staff. That player is identified by having a green dot sticker on the back of his helmet.
On offense, that player is always the quarterback. But on defense, teams spend considerable time trying to decide which player will get the play calls from the sidelines.
A team must have complete confidence in a player to trust him as their green dot. That's why it is rare for a rookie to shoulder that responsibility, especially in week one. However, Rodriguez is no ordinary rookie.
Earlier this week, Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley praised the work that Rodriguez has put in during training camp.
“It is a challenge," Hafley said. "I’m excited for him. He’s earned it; he works really hard at it. Like I mentioned before, the guy’s here all the time. He was in my office this morning going over the call sheet before 7am."
🎥 Jeff Hafley on Jacob Rodriguez being named the green dot in his rookie year: “It is a challenge. I’m excited for him. He’s earned it, he works really hard at it… the guy’s here all the time, he was in my office this morning going over the call sheet before 7am.”… pic.twitter.com/1KOaDiQQGc
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) September 9, 2026
Hafley, a first-year head coach in the NFL, knows quite a bit about defense. In the college game, he was the defensive coordinator at Ohio State in 2019 before taking over as the Boston College head coach the next season.
Then, from 2024-25, he served as the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator before getting the head coach position in Miami. Therefore, he recognizes how important the green-dot position is for a defense.
"That's a big responsibility in this league," he said. "I'd be curious to know how many rookies in the NFL wear the green dot. But I'm excited for him. He's going to do a really good job, and he'll get better at it as we go."
With the Red Raiders last season, Rodriguez finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He also won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker and the Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in the country.
The unquestioned leader of the Tech defense in 2025, he registered 128 total tackles (11 for loss), seven forced fumbles, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. That's not bad for a player who began his college career as a quarterback.
Now, Rodriguez is set to embark on his NFL journey. He and the Dolphins open with a road game at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at 3:35 Central.
Of course, he'll be playing next to another former Red Raider linebacker, Jordyn Brooks, who has become a star in Miami. What's more, on the other side of the ball for Miami will be rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas, yet another Red Raider. That trio will give Tech fans plenty of reasons to check out the Dolphins this season.
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