Top Prospect Jacob Rodriguez Knows NFL Will Be Tough, But His Army Black Hawk Pilot Wife Puts Matters Into Perspective (Exclusive)

"It was awesome being able to partner with USAA, Salute to Service," Rodriguez tells PEOPLE. "I think it was a big thing for me and her to be able to be a part of that. It's something that we truly care about and it's something that means a lot to us."

During their time spent together, Rodriguez and Emma visited a local flight simulator where the football player got to put his pilot skills to the test. To no surprise, the West Point alum was better trained, but doubled as a great coach!

"I got to see how she flies and see what she gets to do on a daily basis... It's very stressful," he shares. "To see her in her element, doing what she does, doing what she loves to do, it shows me a deeper appreciation for everything."

The unique opportunity gave the standout college athlete a deeper respect for the unique challenges that military families overcome.

Jacob Rodriguez and his wife, Emma, an Army Black Hawk Pilot
Credit: Courtesy of Jacob and Emma Rodriguez

"All military service members, everybody in that line of work who volunteered to potentially put their life on the line, to protect the country, it's truly unbelievable," Rodriguez says. "It really puts me in a great head space knowing that she's out there doing what she loves."

Rodriguez and Emma met as teenagers when they attended rival high schools in northern Texas. They eventually got engaged on July 1, 2023, and to their families' surprise, wound up marrying later that night.

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"It means so much to have somebody like that in my corner," the star athlete says of Emma. "I'm just so appreciative of her."

Jacob Rodriguez spends the day experiencing the military life his wife, Emma, lives
Credit: Courtesy of Jacob and Emma Rodriguez

Rodriguez now eyes a future as a professional football player, with this year's NFL draft set to begin Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh . Nerves aside, the linebacker — who's projected as a second-round pick with late first-round buzz —tells PEOPLE he's "excited" for what's next.

"It's something I've wanted to do since I was three years old. And so being in this position now, it's been so much fun," Rodriguez shares. "It's been such a blessing to just get to know everybody who I've met along this process. It's been so much fun, and it's been more than I could ever dream of."

He says, "I'm excited to see what happens and how this will unfold."

As for how Rodriguez and Emma plan to keep their love strong as they embark on their respective dreams?

Jacob Rodriguez and his wife, Emma
Credit: Courtesy of Jacob and Emma Rodriguez

"Every new challenge brings new difficulties and new struggles, and so you have to find new ways to work around that. And I think it helps when we're both busy. And so with her doing everything that she's doing, and I'm doing everything that I'm doing, we both have things to focus on," Rodriguez shares.

"And so when we get the chance to talk to each other and see each other, then we'll be happy for that," he says. "But we have a lot of work to do, and we both know that and we're both ready for it and excited for it."

On advice Rodriguez wants to share with other military couples going through similar experiences?

"Constant communication, whatever that looks like for you," he says. "But more importantly, just live your own life and then just be so happy to share it with the person who you care about."

Read the original article on People