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The Texas Tech Red Raiders have taken the college football world by storm, finishing the season 12-1 as Big 12 champions. The Red Raiders earned the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff, including a first-round by.
Part of what makes Texas Tech so great is its stifling defense, led by senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. A fixture at Tech's games this season has been Rodriguez's wife, Emma. His wife Emma is a helicopter pilot on active duty for the U.S. Army.
Here's more about Jacob's wife, her role in the Army and more.
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Who is Jacob Rodriguez's wife?
Jacob Rodriguez's wife is Emma Rodriguez, who is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army. She's been attending Texas Tech games since the 2023 season. The two have been married for over two years.
Emma Rodriguez military career
Rodriguez attended West Point, from 2019 until she graduated in 2023. Per her LinkedIn page, she has been in the U.S. Army as a Flight School Student.
She is on active duty in the U.S. Army, where she flies helicopters. She has several photos and videos of her flying helicopters on her Instagram page:
"West Point was not what I expected," Emma said during a Big Noon Kickoff feature earlier this season. "I don't know what I was expecting. I did not like my plebe [first] year at all."
"It was very rough on her," Jacob added. "There were a couple times where she was like 'Im not even treated like a real person.' It is hard for anybody that goes through it."
Where did Emma Rodriguez go to college?
Rodriguez attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she graduated in 2023.
What rank is Emma Rodriguez in the Army?
Black Hawk pilots are typically Warrant Officers, which ranks below the lowest officer grade of second lieutenant. Here's a description of a Rotary Wing Warrant Officer, via the U.S. Army:
As a Rotary Wing Aviator, you’ll learn to fly some of the most exciting, technologically advanced helicopters in the world. First, you must complete the rigorous Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW/flight) training. This establishes and builds upon aviator/aviation knowledge and skill.
You’ll learn to pilot with agility and adaptiveness in tactical and non-tactical situations, various weather conditions, and increasingly advanced fighting maneuvers. You will be the technical and tactical expert in charge of performing reconnaissance, security, rescue, air assault, internal and external load, and more based on advanced aircraft selections.
"Every single day is or death—that's what flying is," Emma said via Fox Sports. She is a chopper pilot in command.
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Where is Emma Rodriguez stationed?
Rodriguez is stationed in Fort Riley, Kan. which sits 582 miles—a nine-hour drive by car—to Lubbock, Texas. In previous media interviews, Rodriguez has said she has flown to Lubbock from Manhattan, Kansas.
How did Jacob Rodriguez meet his wife?
Jacob and Emma Rodriguez first met in high school. Emma attended Wichita Falls High School in Texas, whereas Jacob went to Rider High School. The two are rival high schools, but they started dating in high school.
When Emma went to West Point, Jacob still had two seasons of high school football left, but the couple kept dating long distance.
When did Jacob Rodriguez get married?
Emma and Jacob got married in July 2023, as a surprise during a family reunion in Houston. He was 21 years old when he got married, and Emma was 23.
"It was probably the best day of my whole life, no doubt." Jacob said of their wedding day via Fox.
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Jacob and Emma Rodriguez relationship timeline
April 2019: First picture of Emma and Jacob attending prom on Instagram.
As previously mentioned, Emma and Jacob started dating in high school.
Nov. 2019: Emma and Jacob celebrate one-year anniversary
Feb. 2023: Emma and Jacob get engaged
Summer 2023: Emma and Jacob celebrate engagement, surprise wedding
Roughly five months after their engagement, the couple had a surprise wedding at a family reunion. Initially, it was supposed to be an engagement party for the couple. Emma posted photos of it in Aug. 2023, a month after their wedding:
July 2025: Emma and Rodriguez two-year wedding anniversary
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