We were hoping the former Rider Raider would at least be in the running for the best player in college football, but sadly he did not make the final four.

Well this Saturday, the Heisman trophy will be given out by the NCAA. Three to four players are typically invited to New York for the ceremony, but only one of them will walk away with the prestigious honor. Here in Wichita Falls, a lot were hoping Jacob Rodriguez would at least get the invite to the ceremony. Sadly, he did not make the cut. Here are the four that will be in New York Saturday night.

Fernando Mendoza - Indiana Quarterback

Diego Pavia - Vanderbilt Quarterback

Julian Sayin - Ohio State Quarterback

Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame Running Back

Jacob Rodriguez Numbers Against Last Heisman Linebacker Finalist

Listen, winning the Heisman as a strictly defensive player has never been done. Charles Woodson and Travis Hunter are the only defensive players to ever win. Both of them also contributed to special teams and offensive as well. Tech has used Jacob on goal line offense in recent weeks, but it looks like that wasn't enough. However, many thought Jacob would at least be a finalist since he was statistically better than the last linebacker finalist in the country.

With the exception of interceptions, Jacob Rodriguez was a better player than Manti Teo who was invited to New York in 2012. Teo finished second in voting, which lead many thinking. Hey, Jacob may not win, but he will at the very least be in the running. Sadly, that is not the case. Texas Tech secured a bye in the college football playoff. They will play the winner of James Madison University and Oregon on January 1st.