Name: Santino Rodriguez
Position (s): RB/LB
Height/ Weight: 6'1" 205 LBS
GPA: 3.3
Jersey Number: 4
School & Class: Upper Moreland '27
Key Stats: 35 tackles 5TFL 1int 6 games
Awards: N/A
Hudl link: Santino Rodriguez
Favorite NFL team: Eagles
Quote from the Coach: “Santino is a naturally gifted athlete. He has taken that and worked extremely hard in the weight room and on the track. He is one of our strongest players and also one of our fastest and anytime you can add strength and speed together. That is a perfect combination for football."
What’s your proudest moment on the football field, this season or in your career?
Having a good attitude if we win or lose. Having a good attitude is easy when you win but it’s hard to keep when you lose and I think I have maintained a good attitude with any game .
Describe a play where you made a game-changing impact. What was going through your mind?
Third quarter against Wissahickon they ran vertical switches and they went for the long shot and I deflected the pass that could’ve been a touchdown and it was 4th down which gave us the ball going into the 4th quarter.
What’s the toughest part of playing the position (s) you play, and how do you prepare for each?
The physicality of the position, there’s never a play where I’m not hitting or getting hit.
Which NFL player do you model your game after, and what do you admire about them?
I try to model Fred Warners gameplay, how he is a good instinctual player and has a lot of game IQ.
What’s a drill or skill you’re grinding to perfect before the season?
Pass rushing is a skill that I’m really working on and just keeping leverage low going into the line of scrimmage .
How did you start playing football, and what keeps you passionate about it?
My friends thought I would be good at it and I started to play serious football in 8th grade and ever since I loved seeing the progress I was making as an athlete and a person.
Who’s been your biggest supporter (e.g., coach, family, teammate) in your football journey?
My mom without a doubt she hates the game and me playing it but anything I do she will cheer me on .
What’s a challenge you’ve overcome—on the field or off—that’s made you a better player or person?
The injury’s that come with this sport made me a more patient person and realizing that the little things will help with the bigger things
How does playing in the Suburban One League shape your experience as a high school athlete?
Better competition, everyone is nice and there is never a lot bad people in this league.
What’s the one song on your pre-game playlist that fires you up, and why?
Now or never by Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. blige, gets me fired up from how hard I work and what it’s gonna take to have my moment.
What’s your nickname in the locker room, and how’d you earn it?
Tino, my coach in 8th grade just shortened my name because he said he comes off the tongue better and now everyone calls me Tino.
If you could take one teammate’s skill for a game, whose would you pick and why?
Connor Lennox and his mentality, he is a mad man and doesn’t care who is in front of him. .
What’s your biggest goal for this season with your team?
Win the league.
Are you eyeing college football? What’s your dream school or program to play for?
College football is a dream and my dream program is Penn state I’ve always wanted to go there I think they have a amazing athletic program.
Where do you see yourself in football or life five years from now?
Probably going into the workforce as an athletic trainer.
Who’s an under-the-radar teammate who deserves more shine, and why?
Definitely Connor Lennox. His whole life is football and he has been working hard forever and he deserves everything that he is going to get this season.
What’s the loudest or most memorable crowd moment you’ve experienced in a game?
My sophomore year against Wissahickon we kicked an extra point to win in over time and everyone went crazy and stormed the field.