Kentucky Running Back Makes Moves in the 2023 NFL Draft
Hey football fam, we’ve got some big news coming out of the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Missouri. Our boy Chris Rodriguez Jr., a senior running back from the University of Kentucky, is taking his talents to the Washington Commanders after being chosen in the sixth round (193rd overall pick).
Rodriguez, a 5-foot-11, 204-pound beast from McDonough, Georgia, did some serious work on the field during his time at UK. He finished his college career ranked third on the school’s all-time rushing list with 3,644 yards, making him one of only four players in Kentucky’s history to hit that 3,000-yard mark. And with 32 career rushing touchdowns, he’s secured the second-most in the school’s history, while his 35 total touchdowns rank third.
This man knows how to put in work, averaging 6.2 career yards per carry, which is the third-best in UK’s history, and setting a school record with 20 100-yard games. His 1,379 rushing yards in 2021 rank fifth on UK’s single-season list, and he was the 10th player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
Rodriguez is a two-time team captain who earned his degree in community and leadership development in May of 2022. With his talent and dedication, it’s no wonder the Washington Commanders had their eyes on him.
This marks the fifth straight year that UK has had at least one player taken in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, and Rodriguez is the 23rd player drafted who played under head coach Mark Stoops at Kentucky. He’s also the second Kentucky running back since 2019 to be drafted, following Benny Snell Jr., who was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Joining former Wildcat teammate Jamin Davis in Washington, Chris Rodriguez Jr. is ready to take the NFL by storm. So, let’s give a big shout-out to this incredible athlete as he takes on this new journey with the Washington Commanders. We know he’ll continue to make us proud. Go get ’em, Chris!
