The star defensive duo can officially call itself one of the most decorated tandems in Tech Athletics history.
LUBBOCK, Texas - Awards season has wrapped up ahead of the College Football Playoff getting underway this weekend, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders cleaned up in a big way.
In addition to the coaching staff earning its flowers for a record-breaking season, the star defensive duo of linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and defensive end David Bailey were greatly recognized as the pillars of a dominant unit this season.
With the latest All-American teams being announced, it is official that Rodriguez and Bailey were both named unanimous All-Americans, meaning they were placed on the First-Team Defense by every major media outlet.
Rodriguez and Bailey are now the sixth and seventh players in program history to be unanimous All-Americans, joining Red Raider legends such as Mark Bounds (1991), Zach Thomas (1995), Byron Hanspard (1996), Michael Crabtree (2007–08), and Jace Amaro (2013). They are the first pair to do so in the same season.
Individually, Rodriguez took home honors of the consensus best defender this season by winning the Bednarik Award (best defensive player), Lombardi Trophy (best lineman/linebacker), Nagurski Trophy (defensive player of the year), and Butkus Award (best linebacker). The senior captain has registered 117 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles (two recoveries) and a sack.
He finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, one spot out of becoming a finalist and making the trip to New York for the ceremony.
Bailey has been named in preliminary NFL Draft scouting processes as a first-round prospect after leading the country with 13.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss overall. His 13 hits are tied for the team-lead with fellow edge rusher Romello Height, who is also garnering heavy NFL Draft buzz.
Together, Rodriguez and Bailey were recipients of the Pony Express Award given annually to the most outstanding teammate duo regardless of position. The recognition further cements their careers into Texas Tech history as legendary figures of the best season in program history.
Four Red Raiders were named All-Americans across the five major announcements, including two-time honoree defensive lineman Lee Hunter and one-time selection defensive lineman A.J. Holmes Jr. The total of five athletes named to at least one All-American team is the most for Tech since the historic 2008 season - a year with success that can only rival that of 2025.
After rolling through the regular season and reaching the team's highest national ranking in decades, Texas Tech won its first Big 12 Championship to book a ticket to the College Football Playoff.
The Red Raiders are seeded fourth and will await the winner of No. 5 Oregon and No. 12 James Madison in the quarterfinal round. The Ducks and the Dukes face off at 6:30 p.m. CST on Dec. 20, broadcasted live on TNT.
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