2025 has been a historic season for Texas Tech, going 12-1 and winning its first Big 12 championship. The Red Raiders earned a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff following a 34-7 rout against BYU. They boast one of the most well-rounded teams in the country, which includes an elite defense. Texas Tech revamped its defense through the transfer portal, with the most significant addition being defensive end David Bailey. He is one of the most explosive athletes in college football and a dominant presence on the edge. What makes Bailey such a disruptive defender, and how will it translate to the NFL?
Oct 18, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey (31) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
2026 NFL Draft: David Bailey Early Scouting Report
Measurables
Height- 6-foot-3
Weight- 250 pounds
Background
Bailey played high school football at powerhouse Mater Dei (California). He was a four-star recruit and the third-ranked edge rusher in the Class of 2022. Bailey committed to Stanford, where he spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career. It took no time for him to see the field with the Cardinal, appearing in 10 games as a true freshman. He had 46 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in 2022. Bailey maintained similar production as a sophomore, finishing 2023 with five sacks, 34 tackles, and six tackles for loss in 10 games. In his final season in Palo Alto, Bailey began to show glimpses of the elite pass rusher he is now. He appeared in all 12 games and had seven sacks, 31 tackles, and eight tackles for loss.
Following the 2024 season, Bailey entered the transfer portal and joined Texas Tech under Joey McGuire. While he was a proven pass rusher, Bailey struggled as a run defender. This was due in large part to inconsistent tackling, with a 20.7% missed-tackle rate in 2024, according to PFF. Bailey has put it all together in 2025, racking up 13.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss through 13 games. He is the highest graded edge rusher in the FBS according to PFF, posting a grade of 93.
Strengths
The first thing that stands out with Bailey is his production, having 40 tackles for loss and 28 sacks over four seasons. As a pure pass rusher, Bailey is as good as it gets. His first step is incredibly explosive, putting him in position to make splash plays consistently. Bailey has remarkable burst for an edge rusher, and his closing speed is evident on film. He combines elite speed with great bend, allowing him to work around offensive tackles without slowing down. Bailey isn’t just a speed rusher; he also displays versatile technique, with several moves to shed pass protection. He has improved as a run defender and shows tremendous upside in that area. Bailey shows the ability to explode off the line of scrimmage and make tackles for loss against the run.
Weaknesses
While Bailey has made strides defending against the run, he’s far from the best run defender at his position. There are times he gets caught over-pursuing, which causes him to miss tackling opportunities. He has a missed-tackle rate of 15.8% in his college career, according to PFF. Being more consistent as a tackler and run defender is the most significant area for improvement for Bailey.
Overview
Elite pass rushers are short in supply and high in demand in the NFL. The 2026 class has several premier prospects at the position, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Bailey is the best pass rusher in the class, but lacks as a run defender relative to other top edge prospects. His game is best suited as a stand-up edge defender who provides tremendous value on passing downs. Bailey’s combination of production and elite pass rushing should make him a first-round pick. If he can continue his upward trajectory against the run, there’s no reason he won’t be a perennial Pro Bowler. Bailey is a similar player to Nik Bonitto, having similar frames and both specializing as pure pass rushers. He currently projects as a mid-first-round pick and is an excellent fit for the Chiefs and Cowboys, both of whom need a premier pass rusher.
Main Photo: [Mark J. Rebilas] – Imagn Images