Malcolm Rodriguez Announces He Will Return to Oklahoma State in 2021

The Cowboys have a lot of seniors at linebacker this season, and at least one of those seniors will be back for the Pokes’ 2021 campaign.

Malcolm Rodriguez will take advantage of the NCAA not counting this season toward athletes’ eligibility and return for a fifth season, it was announced on Oklahoma State’s pregame radio show.

Rodriguez has been a contributor for the Cowboys since he stepped on campus in 2017. Entering the Cheez-It Bowl, Rodriguez has played in 41 games for OSU where he has amassed 270 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, two fumble recoveries and nine forced fumbles.

He entered OSU as a safety but has since transitioned to linebacker. Rodriguez is the Cowboys’ second-leading tackler this season, behind Amen Ogbongbemiga, with 73 total tackles.

Rodriguez returning is a major boom for the Cowboys’ defense because OSU has four senior linebackers on its 2020 roster, meaning the Pokes would have been inexperienced at the position next year. Rodriguez is the only true senior at the position, with Ogbongbemiga, Calvin Bundage and Devin Harper all being redshirt seniors.