WATCH: NFL Combine Prep with Chris Rodriguez

Fresh off a trip to the Senior Bowl, Chris Rodriguez joined 11 Personnel from his pre-Draft Camp in Frisco, Tx. to perform the most valuable part of a former Wildcat’s Draft prep. No, it’s not training for the 40-yard dash. We put Chris’ mental acumen to the test with a series of questions to make sure he’s ready for the difficult interview process with NFL front office officials.

At the Senior Bowl the Kentucky running back had the opportunity to meet with all 32 NFL teams. The participants also took a written test, which produced at least a couple of odd questions.

“How long does beef stay in the freezer?” was one weird one Chris recalled. Another player was also asked, “Would you rather be a dog or a cat for a day? I don’t know what it has to do with football, but I guess these scouts have their way of asking questions they want to know.”

If you think those questions are a little off-based, wait till you see what 11 Personnel cooked up for Chris Rodriguez. We also discussed his love for Buccee’s and he answered the question, “What’s more difficult, draft prep or wedding prep?”

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Chris Rodriguez Opens Up on the Loss of His Mother

In-between the conclusion of his historic career at Kentucky and the Senior Bowl, Chris Rodriguez’s mother passed away. She suffered with lupus, and to honor her in his first football game since her passing, he wore a purple facemask, the color for lupus awareness.

“Honestly, it was tough and it started before that. After I did lay my mom to rest I had to come back to Texas. I started training again and it was hard. At that point I started to feel alone. I talked to my family and it kind of helped me get through it; my sisters, it’s brought me and my sister even closer. I will say when I got to the Senior Bowl it was hard just not being able to call her and let her know everything that’s going on. Once those interviews did come in and start to get rolling, somehow she got brought up. I didn’t excuse myself, but I just got choked up about it. It’s hard.

“People always ask what kind of relationship I have with my Mom and Dad. My Dad’s like my brother. My Mom’s like my best friend. Everyday we would call each other, even if it was her making me mad or upsetting me, we would talk. Then call me later and we would talk about it, apologize to each other.

“Whenever she needed something I would be there for her. Whenever I needed something, she would be there for me, especially during my time at Kentucky. She came up one day and I just cried in her arms. She was my No. 1 supporter, she’s my why, my everything. At the end of the day at the Senior Bowl she wouldn’t have wanted me to quit on myself. That’s something she talked about, being at that Senior Bowl, so I had to go out there and play.”

Even though she will not see her son’s name called in the NFL Draft, he did make her proud for his achievements at Kentucky.

“Especially graduating. Everybody asked me why I stayed back last year. My Mom wanted me to graduate. It was a big thing for me and my family and to graduate, it was huge for her. When that happened, it started a new legacy for the family, showing them the ropes and showing them they can do what they want as long as they keep their mind in the right place.”

Beef with Liam Coen?

Liam Coen was the offensive coordinator for the running back’s best season in Lexington. Chris Rodriguez rushed for 1,378 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021, in part thanks to the introduction of the outside zone to Kentucky’s offense. Coen left for the same position with the L.A. Rams, forcing Rodriguez to learn a new offense for his final year of college football.

“I’m actually mad at him for that,” Rodriguez said, slightly tongue in cheek.

“No shame in Scang, he’s my guy too. But Coen came in, we transitioned to that new offense and we were good. We were doing fine. Money calls at the end of the day and when the Rams called he couldn’t turn them down. We understood it, I’m just like, dude, one more year. It’s my last year, Will’s last year, just wished he would’ve stayed.”