Jacquizz Rodgers: “You’ve Got to Be a DOG” — Why Texas’ New RB Can Become GREAT | Steve Sarkisian

Summary

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On Texas Football — Jacquizz Rodgers: “You’ve Got to Be a DOG” — Why Texas’ New RB Can Become GREAT

Host: Bobby Burton
Guest: Jacquizz Rodgers (Former Oregon State and NFL running back)
Air Date: August 2, 2026

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Episode Overview

Bobby Burton sits down with Texas football legend Jacquizz Rodgers to discuss the prospects of Landon, a highly touted new Texas Longhorn running back. The conversation centers on what makes a truly great running back, the challenges of transitioning to major college football, the “dog mentality” needed for success, and the legacy of Texas RBs. Rodgers draws on his personal experiences and insights from his successful careers in college and the NFL to break down why Landon can become great—and what it will take.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Makes Landon Special (00:00–01:14)

• Early Dominance:
  Jacquizz Rodgers praises Landon’s achievements as a high school running back, highlighting his rare ability to perform at a high level from his freshman year onward.

  “For somebody to come as a freshman up until to his junior year, to be able to do it at a high level each and every year and to prove itself ... I think he's one of the best to do it.”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (00:20)

• Physical Traits and Production:
  Rodgers notes Landon’s combination of speed and power, likening his style to his own.

  “You get a bag like him, 5’5”, 180, 190, and now he’s over 200, 300 yards rushing. That’s the type of back he is.”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (00:58)

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2. Transitioning to College Football (01:14–02:47)

• The Biggest Adjustment – Game Speed:
  Rodgers emphasizes that the increased speed and athleticism at the college level is always the biggest challenge.

  “It’s always the speed of the game. … Always outwork everybody that you’re going against.”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (01:26)

• Work Ethic & Staying Ahead:
  Success hinges on remaining dedicated and outworking the competition, even when nobody is watching.

  “You gotta still be able to willingly outwork everybody when nobody’s looking.”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (02:47)

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3. Reaching NFL Dreams & Family Support (01:41–02:29)

• The Power of a Support System:
  Landon benefits from a family with deep football experience—Rodgers himself and his uncle Mike both played in the NFL, providing mentorship and direct advice.

  “Anytime you need somebody to come to questions, I think we have in our family, close knitted family, ... you can reach out to just to give you the examples and just to show you and push you.”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (01:52)

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4. The “Dog” Mentality Required for Greatness (03:09–03:38)

• Mental Toughness:
  The defining characteristic separating great running backs is an aggressive mindset.

  “You got to be a dog. When you’re running that rock, you got to be a dog. … Every time you touch the ball you gotta think, ‘I’m a dog. I’mma run through you. I’mma score.’”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (03:20)

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5. The Chip on the Shoulder of Undersized Backs (03:38–04:42)

• Defying Size Stereotypes:
  Rodgers speaks candidly about the “chip” that comes from being labeled as undersized, motivating him and Landon to play with greater intensity and purpose.

  “For me, height never meant a thing in life. … It’s about who’s playing the hardest. And for me, I always was willing to play the hardest when I stepped on the field.”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (04:19)

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6. Advice to the Next Generation (04:42–05:26)

• Work Ethic Is Non-Negotiable:
  Whether choosing a school or navigating new challenges, Rodgers counselled Landon to always maintain relentless work ethic.

  “No matter where you go, you have to still keep the work ethic the same and [be] willing to outwork whoever's in your position or whoever's on your team, it only makes you a greater player.”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (04:47)

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7. Choosing Texas & The Power of Staying Home (05:26–06:09)

• Embracing Local and Historic Opportunity:
  Rodgers views Texas as a “great opportunity” for Landon—staying close to home, enjoying strong fan support, while also “proving it” to doubters.

  “I think it’ll be a great opportunity for somebody to stay home. … You’ve got to have the doubters. … It’s the right motivation you can have to be a great player.”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (05:30, 06:05)

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8. The Legacy of Texas Running Backs (07:44–08:50)

• Joining a Storied Fraternity:
  The prestige and tradition of Texas RBs like Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, Jamal Charles, and Bijan Robinson loom large. Rodgers encourages Landon to add his own chapter.

  “That’s a great, I call it a fraternity to go into. … If you can be mentioned with the Ricky Williams and Cedric Benson ... that’s a great chance to go chase the platform they put in front of you.”
  — Jacquizz Rodgers (08:15)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You got to be a dog. You got to be a dog. When you’re running that rock, you got to be a dog." — Jacquizz Rodgers (03:20)

• "For me, height never meant a thing in life ... It’s about who’s playing the hardest." — Jacquizz Rodgers (04:19)

• "No matter where you go, you have to still keep the work ethic the same and willing to outwork whoever's in your position." — Jacquizz Rodgers (04:47)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – 01:14: Introduction; Rodgers on Landon’s high school legacy and physical traits
• 01:14 – 02:47: Challenges when adapting to college football; importance of work ethic
• 03:09 – 03:38: Describing the “dog” mentality
• 03:38 – 04:42: Discussing motivation as an undersized back
• 04:47 – 05:26: Rodgers’s advice for Landon
• 05:26 – 06:09: Reflection on picking Texas and the “stay-home” factor
• 07:44 – 08:50: The legacy and tradition of Texas running backs

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Episode Takeaways

• True greatness as a running back comes from outworking everyone and cultivating a relentless, aggressive mentality—being “a dog.”
• Size is just a number; heart and hustle matter most.
• Having mentors and a football-savvy family is a key asset.
• Texas offers legacy, opportunity, and a perfect environment for Landon to prove himself and build his own chapter in an elite fraternity of backs.

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Transcript

[A]

Then one of the all time great running backs from this area, the state of Texas, Oregon State, played in the NFL. Jaquez Rogers quiz. I got to ask you Landon, what are your thoughts on him as a bat? I mean you're one of the best backs that we've seen come through Houston and State of Texas. You know more about his game than anybody. What's your thoughts on Landon as a player?

[B]

And just watching him, I think he's one of the most talented backs to do it in our area. For somebody to come as a freshman up until to his junior year, to be able to do it at a high level each and every year and to prove itself, I don't think is we have seen that from a freshman running back to come in and just had the stats, the yards in the state title to do it. I think he's one of the best to do it.

[A]

What are the characteristics of him as a runner that you see that make him who he is? Because I know they're probably pretty similar to yours after watching you in high school.

[B]

The speed and power, you get a bag like him, 5, 5, 5, 80, 80, 80 and now he's over 200, 300 yards rushing. That's the type of back he is. So it's a gifted talent that we haven't seen in a while.

[A]

Yeah. And what going to the next level, Obviously you were super successful at Oregon State, then went on to the NFL. What's going to be the biggest transition for him to major college football?

[B]

Oh, for sure. It's always the speed of the game. It's always, you got to get adapted to the speed of the game and after that continue, make sure you continue to work and just stay ahead of the curve. Always outwork everybody that you're going against.

[A]

So he obviously has the same dreams you do to be an NFL running back one day. What do you think? Where do you think, what do you think he has to do to get to reach that goal in that dream?

[B]

And the best thing about it is he got family to reach out to. Y uncle Mike who played for eight or 10 years in the league, I played in the league for eight years. So you have guys who done it at a high level, so is no surprise. So anytime you need somebody to come to questions, I think we have in our family, close knitted family, not distant family, somebody you can reach out to just to give you the examples and just to show you and push you to what it takes to be on the next level.

[A]

What was, what was that biggest transition for you to college ball. Was it the holes pinch quicker? Does the backside. Yeah. Is there peripheral half to the backside? Have to be a little quicker than high school. What was it? What, what were some of those things that led you to be so successful outside of your ability to dance with the football?

[B]

No lie. It was the how fast the the D line was. Everything moved a lot quicker. On the next level, you got D lineman, linebackers running the same speed as you. So that'll be the biggest adjustment. Other than that, it's the same. You gotta, like I say, you gotta still be able to willingly. I'll work everybody when nobody's looking.

[A]

Is there something that goes into the mentality of the running backs who really are great and will make it all the way to the NFL? And do you see that same mentality in him that you have?

[B]

Oh, for sure. You, I, I look at it like this. You got to be a dog. You got to be a dog. When you're running that rock, you got to be a dog. You gotta want it. Every time you touch the ball, you gotta think, I'm, I'm a dog. I'mma run through you. I'mma score. So it's a dog mentality when you at the running back position. That's what separates one guy to the

[A]

N. I want to ask you this because I. Undersized is a. Undersized is a weird term to use. You're five, six, about 195, right? And 207. 57 he wants the driver's license says 57. Landon's about five, seven and a half. What is that chip on your shoulder as a undersized running back that really helps carry. I mean, I'm sure you said everybody says I'm too small, right? You obviously should have been recruited at a national level versus Oregon State. So what, what is that chip on your shoulder that you guys carry is what's called an undersized back, man.

[B]

I look at it like this. It's, it's height. Height. For me, height never meant a thing in life. I look at it like this. I'm always willing to prove I'm one of the best, no matter what the circumstances. Live the biggest guy, the smallest guy. It's about who's playing the hardest. And for me, I always was willing to play the hardest when I stepped on the field.

[A]

If he's ever asked you for advice, what advice have you given him?

[B]

It's crazy. He called me, he called me, texted me like two days ago, like, give me your pros and cons. On the schools and I laid it out to him and I, I say, look, at the end of the day the decision is on you. But no matter where you go, you have to still keep the work ethic the same and willing to outwork who step in. They're already who's ever coming in. So it's all about the worth ethic. I feel like if you create a great work ethic and willing to outwork whoever's in your position or whoever's on your team, it only makes you a greater player. So that's my advice I gave to him.

[A]

What are your thoughts on him going to the University of Texas?

[B]

Oh, for sure. Like out of the choices that was left, I think it, it'll be a great opportunity for somebody to stay home. Crazy. It was my not necessarily dream school but like for him to be able to stay home, I don't know. I think it's that it's what you want. It's what you want. You gotta have the doubters. You have people. That's for you. I think Austin is far enough away where you can have the right fan base that root for you, but you also can have the haters who in the local school that didn't get the opportunity to get you.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So it's the right motivation you can have to be a great player.

[C]

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[A]

You've probably studied, probably played against, probably know some of the great backs who have played at Texas. I mean, obviously Ricky Williams, you probably watched him growing up, right? Rip, Cedric Vincent, Jamal Charles, Deontay Foreman, you know, Robinson, obviously. What do you think that there's some guys who have built a legacy as a running back at the University of Texas? Do you think that played into his mindset at all when making this decision?

[B]

Like I told him, like, it's a, that's a great, I call it a fraternity to go into. You got guys who done it in a, at a high level, recognizable guys. So I, I think it's, it's great to enter that category and also to make your stamp, to make your stamp in that category with those type of players and see where you, where you end up at. I think if you can be mentioned with the Ricky Williams and Cedric Benson you about who you say you are, I think that's a great, that's a great chance to go chase the platform they put in front of you.

[A]

All right, quiz. Thank you very much. And by the way, it was a pleasure to watch you in high school until you absolutely beat the crap out of my friends with Mustangs in a playoff game. But I enjoyed watching you play and thank you for the time.

[B]

Appreciate it, brother. Thank you.