Another Rodriguez at Oklahoma State? Heck Yeah!

STILLWATER – There is no doubt that it is tough to follow in the footsteps of a highly successful older sibling. Are you kidding me, following in the footsteps of tackling machine and All-Big 12 and All-American linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, who is now only the top rookie linebacker in the NFL starting for the resurgent Detroit Lions?

© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Malcolm Rodriguez

The thing is big chores and big accomplishments run in the Rodriguez family and now younger brother Gabriel, a hero in Wagoner’s return to Class 4A Championship prowess with a 24-21 win over unbeaten Cushing, has the preferred walk-on opportunity at Oklahoma State.

With no bowl practice on Thursday and the final visit weekend before the dead period coming up, the Oklahoma State coaches took out on the road to visit players before they have to stay campused at midnight Sunday. Cowboys coaches including safeties coach Dan Hammerschmidt stopped by Wagoner. 

The 5-9, 165-pound Rodriguez would definitely be filling big shoes, but he’s okay with that. It was Rodriguez that took the handoff and broke off an 18-yard run in the closing minute of the Class 4A State Championship Game with Cushing to set up the game winning field goal as the clock expired. 

Twitter @Gabe_Rod2044

Gabe with his parents at an OSU game this season.

Rodriguez was named this week the Class 4A District 3 Defensive Most Valuable Player for his play at safety. He had over 100 tackles and also picked off three passes and returned one for a touchdown. On offense, playing around in different spots, Rodriguez had 774-yards rushing and caught 59 passes foer 691-yards and had 19 touchdowns in total. 

He is all set to make the transition to wrestling where he will drop down close to 20-pounds. He’ll beback up later for baseball. He is a man for all seasons, but football season for the Rodriguez family is special, very special.