The Miami Dolphins didn’t plan on having Jacob Rodriguez fall into their lap—but now that he’s here, they’re convinced the rookie linebacker is built to lead.

Selected in the second round of the draft, Rodriguez arrives from Texas Tech with a reputation as a tackling machine. But it’s not just the volume of his stops that has impressed the Dolphins’ coaching staff—it’s the quality.

“He’s incredibly instinctive,” said first-year Dolphins linebackers coach Al Washington. “He’s really efficient and a really good tackler. When you think of tackling, there are two types. There’s the knock-them-back style, maybe like in the mid-90s. Jacob has that, but what really stood out to me was his open-field tackling. He makes a high percentage of tackles instead of missing them.”

Washington, who has coached at Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Michigan before joining the Dolphins, knows what elite linebacker play looks like. He noted that the jump from college to the NFL often exposes flaws in open-field tackling—but not with Rodriguez.

“Coming from college to the NFL, you watch nothing but college tape. The separator was just that: a lot of guys struggle in the open field. And at this level, every athlete is elite—even the second-string running backs. So being able to get into a good base and strike the right way in space is special.”

Off the field, Rodriguez’s approach has been just as impressive. “It’s been about a week now, but he’s been incredibly impressive in terms of his preparation,” Washington added. “He’s consistent, dedicated, and he’s already showing signs of being a leader.”

For a Dolphins team looking to shore up its defense, Rodriguez brings the kind of instinctive, reliable play that could make him a cornerstone for years to come. And for fans looking to rep the next generation of Miami’s defensive stars, this rookie is one to watch.