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'{{short description|American football player (born 2000)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Chris Rodriguez Jr. | image = Chris Rodriguez Jr.jpg | alt = | caption = Rodriguez in 2023 | current_team = Washington Commanders | number = 23 | position = [[Running back]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|9|26}} | birth_place = [[McDonough, Georgia]], U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lb = 224 | high_school = [[Ola High School (Georgia)|Ola]] (McDonough) | college = [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]] (2018–2022) | draftyear = 2023 | draftround = 6 | draftpick = 193 | pastteams = * [[Washington Commanders]] ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present) | status = Active | highlights = * Second-team All-[[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] ([[2021 All-SEC football team|2021]]) | statseason = 2023 | statweek = | statlabel1 = [[Rushing yards]] | statvalue1 = 247 | statlabel2 = [[Average|Rushing average]] | statvalue2 = 4.8 | statlabel3 = [[Touchdown|Rushing touchdowns]] | statvalue3 = 2 | statlabel4 = [[Reception (American football)|Receptions]] | statvalue4 = 2 | statlabel5 = [[Receiving yards]] | statvalue5 = 12 | statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue6 = | pfr = RodrCh00 }} '''Christopher Rodriguez Jr.''' (born September 26, 2000) is an [[American football]] [[running back]] for the [[Washington Commanders]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky Wildcats]], finishing second in school history in career rushing touchdowns and third in rushing yards before being selected by the Commanders in the sixth round of the [[2023 NFL draft]]. ==Early life== Rodriguez was born on September 26, 2000, in [[McDonough, Georgia]].<ref name="TheBeast">{{Cite web |last=Brugler |first=Dane |title=The Beast: 2023 NFL Draft Guide |url=https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2023/04/10111751/TheBeast_NFL_Draft_Guide-1.pdf |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=[[The Athletic]] |pages=33 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.henryherald.com/sports/former-henry-county-rivals-yusuf-corker-chris-rodriguez-jr-now-teammates-key-players-at-kentucky/article_9ac5da8e-fc3e-11ea-aca0-67a3859924d5.html|title=Former Henry County rivals Yusuf Corker, Chris Rodriguez Jr. now teammates, key players at Kentucky|first=Will|last=Hammock|work=[[Henry Daily Herald]]|date=September 21, 2020|access-date=October 10, 2021}}</ref> He played [[Center (gridiron football)|center]] on the [[offensive line]] in middle school until he broke his arm in seventh grade; he was moved to [[fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] upon returning.<ref name="TCJ">{{cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2019/10/10/kentucky-football-running-back-chris-rodriguez-earns-larger-role/3896398002/|title=Kentucky football's Chris Rodriguez learned running style from playing center|first=Jon|last=Hale|work=[[The Courier-Journal]]|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=October 10, 2021}}</ref> He was moved to [[running back]] while attending [[Ola High School (Georgia)|Ola High School]], where he recorded 1,669 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior.<ref name="TCJ"/> Rated a three-star running back prospect, Rodriguez committed to play [[college football]] at [[Kentucky Wildcats football|Kentucky]] over offers from [[Colorado State Rams football|Colorado State]], [[Mississippi State Bulldogs football|Mississippi State]], and [[Ole Miss Rebels football|Ole Miss]] among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.henryherald.com/sports/ola-high-running-back-chris-rodriguez-commits-to-kentucky/article_c26483ef-fe53-5a95-9313-746c72fd0c73.html|title=Ola High running back Chris Rodriguez commits to Kentucky|work=[[Henry Daily Herald]]|date=July 31, 2017|access-date=October 10, 2021|first=Darius|last=Goodman}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky Wildcats, Running Back |url=https://247sports.com/player/chris-rodriguez-92062/ |access-date=October 1, 2022 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> In the year 2021 he stopped supporting his beloved Manchester United FC to jump on the Newcastle United bandwagon - researching fellow Peruvian countryman Nolberto Solano in preparation for the new role. ==College career== Rodriguez played in three games and rushed twice for 43 yards in his true freshman season before opting to redshirt the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2019/07/26/kentucky-football-2019-running-backs-preview/1801195001/|title=Replacing Benny Snell won't be easy, but Kentucky football has depth at running back|work=[[The Courier-Journal]]|date=July 26, 2019|access-date=October 10, 2021|first=Jon|last=Hale}}</ref> As a redshirt freshman in 2019, he rushed 71 times for 533 yards and six touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.henryherald.com/sports/ola-grad-chris-rodriguez-jr-named-sec-co-offensive-player-of-the-week-after-career/article_0fcdc896-14cb-11ec-8307-ffe15f4a57dd.html|title=Ola grad Chris Rodriguez Jr. named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week|work=[[Henry Daily Herald]]|date=September 11, 2021|access-date=October 10, 2021}}</ref> As a redshirt sophomore in 2020, Rodriguez was the Wildcats' leading rusher with 785 yards and 11 touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnews.com/2021/06/11/rodriguez-looks-ready-to-play-in-nfl/|title=Rodriguez looks ready to play in NFL|work=[[The Advocate-Messenger]]|date=June 11, 2021|access-date=October 10, 2021|first=Larry|last=Vaught}}</ref> As a redshirt junior in 2021, Rodriguez rushed for 1,272 yards and eight touchdowns on 205 carries during the regular season. In May 2022, Rodriguez was arrested by a campus police officer and charged with [[driving under the influence]] (DUI) and [[careless driving]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Jon |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Kentucky football star running back Chris Rodriguez arrested on DUI charges |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2022/05/09/chris-rodriguez-kentucky-football-star-arrested-dui-charges/9697422002/ |access-date=April 30, 2023 |website=Courier Journal}}</ref> He pleaded guilty in July and was fined {{USD}}200 and had his driver's license revoked for six months.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Jon |date=July 5, 2022 |title=Kentucky football star Chris Rodriguez pleads guilty to DUI charge |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2022/07/05/chris-rodriguez-kentucky-football-star-pleads-guilty-dui-charge/7812405001/ |access-date=April 30, 2023 |website=Courier Journal}}</ref> Rodriguez was later accused of filing inaccurate [[time card]]s while working part-time at [[UK HealthCare]] and was suspended for the first four games of the 2022 season for both incidents.<ref name="Suspension">{{Cite web |last=Shelton |first=Hunter |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Why Kentucky Wildcats are confident Chris Rodriguez will boost offense after suspension |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article266485046.html |access-date=April 30, 2023 |website=Kentucky.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Truax |first=Barkley |date=September 17, 2022 |title=Report: Additional details arise on the suspensions for Chris Rodriguez, Jordan Wright |url=https://www.on3.com/college/kentucky-wildcats/news/additional-details-arise-on-suspensions-for-chris-rodriguez-jordan-wright-uk-healthcare/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |website=on3.com}}</ref> Rodriguez scored a six-yard rushing touchdown with less than two minutes left in the [[2022 Citrus Bowl]] against the [[Iowa Hawkeyes football|Iowa Hawkeyes]], helping Kentucky win 20–17.<ref name="Suspension" /> A two-time team captain, he graduated with a degree in community and leadership development in May 2022 and is second in [[Kentucky Wildcats football statistical leaders#Rushing touchdowns|Kentucky history]] in career rushing touchdowns and third in rushing yards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marcum |first=Jason |date=April 29, 2023 |title=Chris Rodriguez to Washington in the NFL Draft |url=https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/4/29/23704299/chris-rodriguez-washington-commanders-picks-nfl-draft-2023 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |website=A Sea of Blue |publisher=[[SB Nation]]}}</ref><ref name="KentuckyRecords">{{cite web |title=Chris Rodriguez Jr. Selected by Washington in 6th Round of NFL Draft |website=ukathletics.com |url=https://ukathletics.com/news/2023/04/29/chris-rodriguez-jr-selected-by-washington-in-6th-round-of-nfl-draft/ |access-date=April 30, 2023}}</ref> ===College statistics=== {{See also|Kentucky Wildcats football statistical leaders#Rushing}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Season ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Receiving |- ! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! TD |- ! [[2018 Kentucky Wildcats football team|2018]] | 1 || 2 || 43 || 21.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! [[2019 Kentucky Wildcats football team|2019]] | 9 || 71 || 533 || 7.5 || 6 || 1 || 2 || 2.0 || 0 |- ! [[2020 Kentucky Wildcats football team|2020]] | 9 || 119 || 785 || 6.6 || 11 || 1 || 12 || 12.0 || 0 |- ! [[2021 Kentucky Wildcats football team|2021]] | 13 || 225 || 1,378 || 6.1 || 10 || 13 || 61 || 4.7 || 3 |- ! [[2022 Kentucky Wildcats football team|2022]] | 8 || 175 || 904 || 5.2 || 6 || 5 || 41 || 8.2 || 0 |- ! [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/christopher-rodriguez-jr-1.html Career] !! 40 !! 592 !! 3,643 !! 6.2 !! 33 !! 20 !! 116 !! 5.8 !! 3 |} ==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 11 5/8 | weight = 217 | dash = 4.52 | ten split = 1.58 | twenty split = 2.59 | shuttle = 4.31 | vertical = 33.0 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 6 | bench = 19 | arm span = 30 5/8 | hand span = 8 5/8 | note = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/chris-rodriguez-jr/3200524f-4479-7090-bc9d-40ffbbc0f4c6 |title=Chris Rodriguez Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 30, 2023}}</ref> }} Rodriguez was selected by the [[Washington Commanders]] in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the [[2023 NFL draft]].<ref>{{cite web|work=Commanders.com|first=Hannah|last=Lichtenstein|title=Commanders draft K.J. Henry with No. 193 overall pick|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-draft-chris-rodriguez-jr-with-no-193-overall-pick|accessdate=April 29, 2023 |date=April 29, 2023}}</ref> He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 12, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Selby |first=Zach |date=May 12, 2023 |title=Commanders sign KJ Henry, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Andre Jones Jr. to rookie deals |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-sign-kj-henry-chris-rodriguez-jr-andre-jones-jr-to-rookie-deals |access-date=May 12, 2023 |website=Commanders.com}}</ref> After a strong preseason, in which he averaged 7.4 yards per carry, he made the final [[53-man roster]] as the third running-back.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schultz |first=Adam |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Commanders Rookie Rodriguez 'Nice Job' Making Roster |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/commanders/news/washington-commanders-chris-rodriguez-jr-offense-nice-job-53-man-roster-ron-rivera#:~:text=Washington%20Commanders%20rookie%20running%20back,he%20has%20done%20this%20offseason. |access-date=September 23, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}</ref> On December 28, 2023, the Commanders placed him on [[injured reserve]] due to [[concussion]] symptoms.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2023/12/28/commanders-place-rb-chris-rodriguez-jr-on-ir-antonio-gibson-brian-robinson/|work=USAToday.com|title=Commanders place RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. on IR|first=Bryan|last=Manning|date=December 28, 2023|accessdate=December 28, 2023}}</ref> As a rookie, he appeared in 13 games. He finished with 51 carries for 247 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Rodriguez 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodrCh00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> ==Personal life== Rodriguez is nicknamed C-Rod.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Story |first=Mark |date=October 16, 2023 |title=Racing against time, ‘C-Rod’ still has big goals for the UK football season |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/mark-story/article267284292.html |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=Kentucky.com |publisher=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]]}}</ref> His mother, Stephanie Thornton, died from [[lupus]] in January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Jon |date=April 30, 2023 |title=After being drafted by Commanders, Chris Rodriguez knows his mom would be proud |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article274884036.html |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=Kentucky.com |publisher=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]]}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{footballstats|yahoo=40231}} * {{Official website|crodjr.com}} * [https://www.commanders.com/team/players-roster/chris-rodriguez-jr/ Washington Commanders bio] * [https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/chris-rodriguez-jr-/8759 Kentucky Wildcats bio] {{Washington Commanders roster navbox}} {{Washington2023DraftPicks}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rodriguez Jr., Chris}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American football running backs]] [[Category:Kentucky Wildcats football players]] [[Category:People from McDonough, Georgia]] [[Category:Players of American football from Henry County, Georgia]] [[Category:2000 births]] [[Category:Washington Commanders players]]'