How a zero-star recruit became the NFL's most overlooked prospect
In short: At age eight, Levi Drake Rodriguez wrote a goal on a whiteboard: become a professional football player. He kept that note through years of being overlooked by scouts, eventually transforming from a small recruit into a 306-pound NFL force through sheer intensity and an unconventional diet.
Levi Drake Rodriguez's journey to the NFL was defined by overcoming the limitations of his physical stature. Despite being an All-State selection in high school, he was considered too small for major college programs and entered the collegiate level as a zero-star recruit. He initially signed with Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU), now Nelson University, where he played both football and baseball.
His ascent was marked by extreme dedication and unconventional methods. To increase his size for the defensive tackle position, Rodriguez adopted an 'eat-as-much-as-humanly-possible diet,' famously hiding food like mangoes in his pants and Twizzlers in his helmet. His work ethic was equally intense; he often slept at the practice facility to ensure he was already sweating through drills by 5 a.m.
A pivotal moment occurred in 2022 when, facing uncertainty about his future, Rodriguez went on a week-long fast and prayed for guidance. He felt he received a divine answer to transfer to Texas A&M–Commerce. This move proved transformative. After transitioning from defensive end to defensive tackle and gaining 30 pounds, he became a dominant force, eventually being named the MVP of the Tropical Bowl.
This persistence culminated in the 2024 NFL draft. Previously identified by The Athletic as 'Prospect X'—their designation for the most overlooked player in the draft—Rodriguez was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round, 232nd overall. He became the first player from East View High School to be drafted, completing the vision he wrote on a whiteboard as a child.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Levi Drake Rodriguez
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-levi-drake-rodriguez.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
