A handful of former Texas Tech defenders have already started working out at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week. Here's a rundown of their top marks.
LUBBOCK, Texas - Over at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the Scouting Combine has gotten underway with this year's top college talent showcasing their athletic traits in front of hundreds of NFL executives, coaches and scouts.
The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh begins on April 23, and after a record-breaking regular and postseason, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are expected to be well represented.
A handful of players from Tech's elite defense are among the early participants at this year's Combine.
Need a rundown of who how they measured up with their peers? We've got you covered with an in-depth look at each Red Raiders' marks:
EDGE David Bailey
It starts at the top with the nation's leader in sacks last season, David Bailey. Many predict Bailey will be the first defensive end taken off the board, landing somewhere in the top five overall.
His stats this week back up those projections just as much as his regular season production.
Height: 6'3 5/8"
Weight: 251 pounds
40-Yard Dash: 4.50 secs
10-Yard Split: 1.62 secs
Vertical Jump: 35"
Broad Jump: 10'9"
Bailey was noticeably slow in the change-of-direction drills after slipping multiple times, which could be a rare asterisk on his resume in the pre-draft process.
Even still, his elite burst and speed off the line, as shown with the Red Raiders this season completing 16 sacks, is enough to ease concerns. He performs as the No. 1 defensive end with a total score of 86 on NFL.com's Combine score breakdown, powered by Next Gen Stats.
LB Jacob Rodriguez
Rodriguez's historic senior season in Lubbock in 2025 - arguably the school's best individual season all-time - earned him nearly every individual defensive award in year-end national spotlights.
However, "J-Rod" isn't receiving much NFL Draft "buzz" because of the measurements instead of the tape and his times in drills.
There, he's held up nicely.
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 231 pounds
40-Yard Dash: 4.57 secs
10-Yard Split: 1.60 secs
Vertical Jump: 38.5"
Broad Jump: 10'1"
Shuttle: 4.19 secs
3-Cone: 6.9 secs
Rodriguez said he will not be doing the bench press, but these marks were still enough to showcase his athleticism and completeness, which is likely a surprise to some who had their doubts. The Red Raiders legend ranks No. 4 overall at the linebacker position this Combine.
He's likely to see a rise in draft stock as a result.
EDGE Romello Height
Height was another monster on the edge of the defensive line that racked up tackles for loss after taking advantage of the openings when teams focus on Bailey.
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 239 pounds
40-Yard Dash: 4.64 secs
10-Yard Split: 1.63
Vertical Jump: 39"
Broad Jump: 10'5"
Height ranks inside the top 10 of defensive ends at this year's Combine with these numbers.
DT Lee Hunter
Known as a mauler and run-clogging beast on the inside, Hunter has shown that he's also surprisingly nimble and could be scouted as a versatile lineman who can create matchup problems and fit into any scheme.
Height: 6'3 1/2"
Weight: 318 pounds
40-Yard Dash: 5.18 secs
10-Yard Slit: 1.79 secs
Vertical Jump: 21'5"
Broad Jump: 8'4"
While her overall athleticism score doesn't rank well among the peers at the Combine, his production score at the defensive tackle position ranks first. That combination places Hunter as the No. 3 total score at his position so far.