Chris Rodriguez watched his own Kentucky film before breakout Sunday in the NFL
Chris Rodriguez didn’t need long to introduce himself to the Big Blue Nation when he played running back at Kentucky. In his first game appearance as a freshman in 2018, Rodriguez bulldozed over Murray State defenders for a 27-yard gain that nearly crossed the goal line for a touchdown. Almost 600 carries later, Rodriguez left for the NFL as one of the most prolific players in school history, ranking third on the all-time rushing list in Lexington.
Now a Washington Commander, Rodriguez is making a quick mark at his new home all over again. A sixth-round pick, the former Wildcat was a preseason standout in a crowded Washington backfield, and in his eighth game as a pro on Sunday, Rodriguez scored his first and second career touchdowns.
The first, a pile-mover, looked familiar to Kentucky fans.
The second came on a one-yard run early in the fourth quarter, part of a 20-point Washington comeback to take a late lead. However, the Commanders lost in the end, 30-28, on a last-second field goal from 54 yards out.
Still, Rodriguez had a day as the highest-graded rookie by Pro Football Focus. PFF gave him an 84.9 grade for his 10-carry, 58-yard, two-TD game as the standout back for the Commanders. Starting back Brian Robinson Jr. is out for a couple of weeks due to injury.
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After the game, Rodriguez revealed the secret behind his performance. He said his running backs coach, Randy Jordan, recently pulled up Rodriguez’s Kentucky highlights to get him to loosen up when he carries the ball.
“Yo, this is who you are, you’re here for a reason,” Jordan told Rodriguez, the former UK back explained to Commander Country.
It worked, and then Rodriguez channeled his inner Wildcat after he scored his touchdown, too.
When asked about celebrating his first career TD, Rodriguez said, “I practiced and had some thought about it… Sure enough, when I got in there, I didn’t know what to do but shout out to the O-line. If it wasn’t for them, I probably would’ve came up a little short.”
Enjoy him, Washington.
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