Red Raiders stars David Bailey, Romello Height, Lee Hunter, Caleb Douglas, and Reggie Virgil headline Tech's Senior Bowl contingent as draft buzz rises.
The 2026 NFL Draft process is officially underway for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and it's kicking off with a bang.
With a 12-1 record and a Big 12 championship under its belt, Tech is sending five standout seniors to Mobile for the 2026 Senior Bowl - putting scarlet and black firmly in the spotlight as scouts and decision-makers descend on Alabama.
The Senior Bowl announced six invites earlier this month, and as of Dec. 17, five Red Raiders have already accepted. Edge rushers David Bailey and Romello Height, defensive tackle Lee Hunter, and wide receivers Caleb Douglas and Reggie Virgil will all attend.
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Only linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has yet to formally accept his invitation.
Bailey, the headliner, might be one of the biggest draft risers in the country. After beginning his career at Stanford, he nearly transferred to UCLA, before pivoting late to Lubbock and transforming into a terror.
His 17.5 tackles for loss and nation-leading 13.5 sacks proved he's more than just a pass rusher. Bailey has the juice to dominate in Mobile, where his power and technique will be tested against the best senior tackles in America.
His running mate Height brings a different kind of body of work - one built across Auburn, USC, and Georgia Tech before landing in Lubbock. His 9.0 sacks this year and constant improvement are turning heads.
The Senior Bowl gives him a chance to show his ceiling and versatility.
Up the middle, Lee Hunter might be one of the most intriguing prospects on the roster. At 330 pounds with elite grades in run defense and pass rush, Hunter was a wrecking ball in 2025.
The fact that he's a Mobile native adds a sentimental twist as he'll be showcasing his talent back home.
On offense, Douglas and Virgil offer dynamic ability at receiver. Douglas' 13 touchdowns and back-to-back 850+ yard seasons prove he can be a red-zone threat and chain-mover.
Virgil, with his track speed and Miami (OH) deep-shot production, showed he could thrive at the Power Four level.
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The Senior Bowl is no small stage.
Last year, 106 players were drafted from its roster with 50 of them in the first three rounds. For Tech's five accepted invitees, this is the first true proving ground.
And all of this excitement builds while the Red Raiders still have January football ahead. With a first-round bye secured, Texas Tech heads to the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, awaiting the winner of Oregon vs. James Madison.
Draft hype and playoff dreams? Not a bad December in Lubbock.