Red Raiders edge rusher David Bailey surges to being a top pick in the NFL Draft to become Texas Tech's highest-ever drafted defender.
The 2025 Texas Tech football program now officially boasts one of the highest-drafted players in school history, as David Bailey - who continued to rise up boards ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft - has been made a prime-time selection in Round 1.
Bailey was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 3 overall pick.
In a recent mock draft from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., the Red Raiders edge rusher had surged all the way up to the top handful of slots.
Kiper wrote of Bailey: "Bringing in a player who led the FBS in pressure rate and tied for the lead in sacks last season could do the trick (for his new team.)"
However, at first, it didn't appear that New York was as sold as we thought.
According to various reports, Bailey was expected to visit the New York Jets before the draft, but the Jets had canceled that visit.
That was a shock. It wasn't immediately known why the Jets decided they no longer wanted to visit with Bailey; ESPN claimed they "have enough information.''
And it was all they needed to make him Aaron Glenn's new pass rusher.
Bailey put together a dominant 2025 season after transferring to Texas Tech from Stanford, finishing with 14.5 sacks. His ability to consistently pressure quarterbacks, combined with elite athletic traits, has made him one of the most intriguing defensive prospects available.
Of course, like any prospect, there are still areas to refine. Evaluators have noted that he can continue developing as a run defender and expand his pass-rush arsenal when his initial move is neutralized. Even so, those concerns haven’t slowed his rapid climb up draft boards.
What stands out most is how quickly Bailey’s stock has risen. Not long ago, he was viewed as a likely top-10 selection. Now, he's thought of as blue-chip and maybe even can't-miss.
For Texas Tech, having a player in this position is significant. A top selection underscores the level of talent within the program and highlights Bailey’s development into an elite NFL prospect.
Before today, Tyree Wilson, who was taken with the seventh pick in 2023 was the highest-ever Red Raider defender drafted. Bailey now also jumps into a club led by Texas Tech wide receiver Dave Parks, who was taken first overall in 1964 - the top Red Raider taken all-time.
