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OSU football LB Malcolm Rodriguez in the NFL Draft: Three things to know

richard hall, oklahoman
·2 min read

Few Oklahoma State football fans would underestimate the value of Malcolm Rodriguez to the Cowboys team.

Malcolm Rodriguez began his Oklahoma State football career as a safety from Wagoner, Okla., in 2017.

In 2019 and 2020, Rodriguez was a second-team All-Big 12 selection at linebacker.

Rodriguez was one of six seniors who decided to stay at the university in 2021 and play an extra season following the NCAA ruling on COVID-19.

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Honors and awards garnered by Rodriguez include:

  • 2018 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches)

  • 2019 Second Team All-Big 12 (Coaches)

  • 2019 OSU Leslie O’Neal Award (Defensive MVP)

  • 2020 Second Team All-Big 12 (Coaches)

  • 2020 Second Team Academic All-Big 12

  • 2020 Team Captain as voted by teammates

Here are three things to know about Malcolm Rodriguez as we head into the 2022 NFL Draft.

Oklahoma State's Malcolm Rodriguez (20) will play a crucial role in containing the OU run game in Saturday's Bedlam matchup.
Oklahoma State's Malcolm Rodriguez (20) will play a crucial role in containing the OU run game in Saturday's Bedlam matchup.

Malcolm Rodriguez was the No. 2 tackler in the Big 12 for 2021

Malcolm Rodriguez tallied 119 tackles, including three quarterback sacks, in 13 games.

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Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (20) celebrates with the defensive MVP trophy after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (20) celebrates with the defensive MVP trophy after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Malcolm Rodriguez: Making too many plays?

Some of his fellow players on the Oklahoma State defense joke about Malcolm Rodriguez making too many plays.

“I play on the same side as him,” Harvell-Peel said of Rodriguez. “He grabs everything. Selfishly, I want to make a couple more plays, but he’s just grabbing everybody. Everybody that runs through gaps.

“He just makes my job so much easier, and he’s been doing it for a while. He’s tough as hell. I really appreciate Malcolm. He’s a great player. I don’t know why he’s so great, but he is.”

Oklahoma State's Malcolm Rodriguez catches a ball during the Oklahoma State Cowboys Pro day at the Sherman Smith Training Center in Stillwater, Okla., Thursday, March, 24, 2022.
Oklahoma State's Malcolm Rodriguez catches a ball during the Oklahoma State Cowboys Pro day at the Sherman Smith Training Center in Stillwater, Okla., Thursday, March, 24, 2022.

Malcolm Rodriguez: Defensive play-caller?

Again, more jokes as Oklahoma State's Fiesta Bowl date with Notre Dame approached. With Jim Knowles having left the Cowboys for Ohio State, defensive play-calling duties were spread amongst Mike Gundy and a variety of defensive assistants.

Could Malcolm Rodriguez call the defensive plays, some of Gundy's buddies asked him.

Of course, it didn't happen, but it was a sign of respect those around the Oklahoma State football program have for Malcolm Rodriguez and the football smarts that helped lead the top defense in the Big 12 in 2021.

Jenni Carlson and Scott Wright of The Oklahoman contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NFL Draft: 3 things to know about Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State