San Diego State loses yet another star player, Bender Rodriguez, to this season's upcoming draft. Rodriguez joins defensive standout, Andrew Warthol, in opting out of their final year of eligibility. When asked about this situation The Aztecs' head coach Brady Hoke responded, "Its a double blow to our team, losing my best player on both offense and defense. But that's always the risk when you have players of this caliber."
Rodriguez initially joined the Aztecs' squad as an hybrid linebacker/safety. He redshirted his freshman year, gaining experience under a roster that had plenty of depth. He had his breakout moment during his redshirt freshman season against San Jose State when he intercepted the ball and took it back 87 yards to the house. But it was later that season when Rodriguez truly made his presence known. During the Mountain West Championship when all three of the Aztecs' tightends went down to injury Rodriguez stepped into the position that he had not played since youth football and scored 2 second half touchdowns on 101 receiving yards, leading the team to victory. He would go on to be the team leader in receiving yards and touchdowns in his redshirt junior season, finishing with 67 receptions for 748 yards and 9 touchdowns.
On leaving for the draft, Rodriguez commented, "I made a promise to my Momma that I would complete my education. I've done that. I've shown what I can do on this level, now its time for me to see if I have what it takes to shine on the next. It's gonna be fun on the bun."
Hoke added, "Rodriguez is a great kid, mostly. He has the speed and hands of a receiver with the body of linebacker. He creates quite a mismatch for anybody trying to defend him. He's going to be tough to stop."
Rodriguez initially joined the Aztecs' squad as an hybrid linebacker/safety. He redshirted his freshman year, gaining experience under a roster that had plenty of depth. He had his breakout moment during his redshirt freshman season against San Jose State when he intercepted the ball and took it back 87 yards to the house. But it was later that season when Rodriguez truly made his presence known. During the Mountain West Championship when all three of the Aztecs' tightends went down to injury Rodriguez stepped into the position that he had not played since youth football and scored 2 second half touchdowns on 101 receiving yards, leading the team to victory. He would go on to be the team leader in receiving yards and touchdowns in his redshirt junior season, finishing with 67 receptions for 748 yards and 9 touchdowns.
On leaving for the draft, Rodriguez commented, "I made a promise to my Momma that I would complete my education. I've done that. I've shown what I can do on this level, now its time for me to see if I have what it takes to shine on the next. It's gonna be fun on the bun."
Hoke added, "Rodriguez is a great kid, mostly. He has the speed and hands of a receiver with the body of linebacker. He creates quite a mismatch for anybody trying to defend him. He's going to be tough to stop."
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