The Missouri Tigers enter their bye week with a 5-2 overall record and a 2-2 mark in SEC play. Both sides of the ball have featured players who are putting together impressive 2026 seasons. On defense, one player in particular has stood out.

Linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez has emerged as one of Missouri’s most productive defensive players. The junior has put together an impressive 2026 campaign and has been a key anchor for the Tigers’ defense.

Rodriguez currently ranks second in all of college football with 76 tackles. He has been consistent all season, recording double-digit tackles in six of Missouri’s seven games.

This includes a stretch of six straight games with at least 11 tackles. The streak started with 12 tackles against Kansas, followed by 11 against Troy, 13 against Mississippi State, 11 against Florida, 13 against Texas A&M and another 13 in Missouri’s latest game against Ole Miss.

The consistency Rodriguez has shown puts him in a rare group in Missouri history.…