Levi Drake Rodriguez Bio
Levi Drake Rodriguez (born August 4, 2000) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the SAGU Lions and Texas A&M–Commerce Lions and was selected by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and around 306 pounds, Rodriguez has developed into an interior defensive lineman known for his strength, leverage, and motor at the line of scrimmage.
Before reaching the NFL, Rodriguez followed an unconventional path that included time at an NAIA program and a Division II program that had just moved up to the FCS level. His journey from a zero-star recruit to a draft pick has been widely chronicled, including a feature in The Athletic that identified him as the most overlooked player in his draft class.
Early Life and Background
Rodriguez was born on August 4, 2000, and grew up in Georgetown, Texas. At age four, he began playing baseball and football, starting with flag football before moving to tackle at age six. His mother noted that he switched to tackle because he wanted to tackle people. At approximately eight years old, he wrote a goal of becoming a professional football player on a whiteboard, a reminder he carried with him each time he moved.
Rodriguez attended East View High School in Georgetown, where he played as a two-way lineman. In his senior year, he earned All-State selection at right tackle. Considered undersized for the position, he received no major college offers and was rated as a zero-star recruit. He ultimately signed to play both baseball and football at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, an NAIA program, after catching the attention of SAGU coaches in a memorable moment described by The Athletic.
Path to Professional Football
At the SAGU Lions football team, Rodriguez was shifted to defensive end and earned first-team All-Sooner Athletic Conference honors in his first season, recording 44 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, 5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 10 games. He continued to progress in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season and his third year at SAGU, where he added first-team NCCAA All-American recognition.
Concerned about his visibility to NFL scouts, Rodriguez transferred to the Texas A&M–Commerce Lions, then an FCS-level program, and moved from defensive end to defensive tackle. He gained 30 pounds for the position change and, across his two seasons there, earned first-team All-Southland Conference and first-team FCS All-American honors from Pro Football Focus. He finished his college career with 221 tackles, 43.5 tackles-for-loss, 22 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 50 games.
Levi Drake Rodriguez Career
Pre-Draft Process
Rodriguez initially drew limited attention as an NFL draft prospect, but his profile rose after he was named Most Valuable Player of the Tropical Bowl with 3.5 sacks. He then delivered a dominant pro day performance, impressing scouts with his conditioning and strength. His college head coach Clint Dolezel noted that Rodriguez finished his pro day workouts while smaller players at his position were still struggling with fatigue.
Leading up to the draft, The Athletic chronicled Rodriguez anonymously as their annual “Prospect X,” the most overlooked player in his draft class. He weighed 290 pounds in college but added weight through a high-calorie diet, reaching 306 pounds by draft time.
NFL Draft and Rookie Season (2024)
Rodriguez was selected in the seventh round, 232nd overall, of the 2024 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He became the first player from East View High School to be chosen in the draft and the first Texas A&M–Commerce player selected since Antonio Wilson in 2000, who was also drafted by Minnesota. He signed with the Vikings and began his professional career as a nose tackle on the defensive line.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2024–Present)
During his rookie season, Rodriguez worked to earn a role in the Vikings’ defensive tackle rotation. On November 2, 2025, in a Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions, he blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter that was returned by Isaiah Rodgers to the Detroit 26-yard line. The Vikings won 27–24, and Rodriguez was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the performance.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rodriguez is recognized for his power, leverage, and relentless motor as an interior defensive lineman. Coaches at Texas A&M–Commerce frequently praised his work ethic, noting that he often arrived at the practice facility before custodians and was regularly seen eating extra food during drills in order to add size. His combination of strength, technique, and conditioning has allowed him to hold up against double-teams at nose tackle.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Rodriguez’s young career are his Tropical Bowl MVP performance, his selection as Prospect X by The Athletic, and his 2025 NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award after blocking a field goal against the Detroit Lions. He is also notable as the first player from East View High School and the first Texas A&M–Commerce Lion in 25 years to be drafted into the NFL.
Levi Drake Rodriguez Career Wins
Rodriguez’s individual accolades include first-team FCS All-American honors from Pro Football Focus in 2023 and first-team All-Southland Conference recognition that same year. Earlier, he was a first-team NCCAA All-American and a multiple-time All-Sooner Athletic Conference selection at SAGU.
College and Postseason Highlights
Rodriguez’s college career featured consistent production across NAIA, NCAA Division II, and FCS levels. He totaled 221 tackles, 43.5 tackles-for-loss, 22 sacks, and three forced fumbles across 50 games, including 47 starts. His postseason highlight came at the Tropical Bowl, where he was named Most Valuable Player after recording 3.5 sacks.
Other Wins and Performances
In high school, Rodriguez earned All-State honors at right tackle in his senior season. In December 2023, he graduated from Texas A&M–Commerce with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice.
Levi Drake Rodriguez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rodriguez grew up in Georgetown, Texas, supported by his family as he pursued football from an early age. His mother has spoken publicly about his switch from flag football to tackle football as a child, noting his early desire for contact.
Personal Life
Rodriguez is a devout Christian. He led 63 of his college teammates to get baptized during his time at Texas A&M–Commerce. He has a tattoo of Psalm 23:4 on his forearm: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 NFL season, Rodriguez continued in his role as a nose tackle for the Minnesota Vikings, contributing on defense and special teams. His most visible moment came in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions, when he blocked a fourth-quarter field goal that led to a Vikings touchdown drive and a 27–24 win. The performance earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Across the season, Rodriguez has been part of a Vikings defensive line rotation that has leaned on his leverage and strength against the run. His transition from a small-college defensive end to an NFL nose tackle has been a focal point of his development, and his special-teams impact has provided additional value to the Minnesota roster.
Looking ahead, Rodriguez is expected to continue competing for snaps along the Vikings’ interior defensive line while building on his 2025 regular-season experience. With his strength, conditioning, and proven work ethic, he remains a developmental piece for Minnesota’s defense.