When David Bailey arrived in Lubbock last season after three years at Stanford, Texas Tech’s coaches studied his film and had a thought that changed his career trajectory:
What if we make him a true defensive end?
It was obvious that Bailey had pass-rush talent, but Stanford utilized it more situationally. He played off the ball some. He dropped into coverage. Stanford was doing “a bunch of things” with him, according to Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire.
So Texas Tech decided to simplify things with Bailey.
“We just believe if you’ve got a guy that has a special whatever his trait is, then let him do that,” McGuire told me by phone. “Let him go and rush the passer in as many different ways that we can get, versus ‘OK, he’s going to fit in this and he’s going to have to drop in this defense.’
“If David Bailey’s gotta drop in the defense, I don’t think that’s a really good defensive call,” McGuire added. “We can get somebody else to do that.”
Stanford linebacker David Bailey pressures then-Cal QB Fernando Mendoza during a game in 2024. After both players transferred, they could be the top two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. (Photo by Thien-An Truong/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
That vision paid off, as Bailey tied the FBS lead with 14.5 sacks and ranked second with 19.5 tackles for loss in 2025, his lone year at Texas Tech — more than doubling his numbers in both categories from his final season at Stanford. His sack mark last season matched his three-year total with the Cardinal.
The eye-popping production is partially why the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bailey is considered by many league observers to be the best pure edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft, where he could go as high as No. 2 overall to the New York Jets.
For McGuire, that’s not even up for debate.
“If you are taking a defensive player with your first pick — whoever that is — and you don’t take David Bailey, you really need to go back through your process,” McGuire told me. “If the Jets are taking a defensive player, there’s no way I’m passing on David Bailey.”
Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood saw a “maturation process” take place with Bailey in Lubbock.
He acclimated to the play-in, play-out physicality of the run game. He played different alignments and techniques. He learned how to take on double teams and different blocking schemes. How to counter and react to chipping running backs and tight ends.
According to Wood, Bailey’s “defining moment” came against Houston on Oct. 4, when he had two sacks and three tackles for loss (both season-highs to the point) and forced his first fumble of the season in a 35-11 win.
“I think it all started to kind of come together [in that game],” Wooden advised me over the cellphone. “Like ‘OK, I do know what I am doing now. I’ve obtained confidence in my method. And now I am gonna simply let it go.’ And I feel you noticed some moments in that recreation the place he actually simply let it go. From a physicality standpoint, he was in a position to end on the quarterback aggressively. After which I feel that recreation catapulted him into persevering with on in that method the remainder of the yr.”
Bailey closes in on Oregon QB Dante Moore throughout the Faculty Soccer Playoff quarterfinal in January. Within the recreation, Bailey had 9 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and two passes defensed. (Picture by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)
From the start of his time with Texs Tech, Bailey sought out additional drills and coaching. Throughout a break in Might, he stayed across the workforce facility. He frequented the coaching room for restoration. He fine-tuned his pass-rush method and strikes on the sled. Youthful Texas Tech defenders stayed to work out with him.
Coaches had to determine the way to pull again the reins on Bailey.
“We actually obtained to the purpose the place like in the summertime, we’re like, ‘Hey, David, you should take a time off, man. Your physique must recuperate,’” Wooden advised me. “He goes on the market and he battles and does not actually have any sort of regard for his personal security and physique. He simply desires to go on the market and battle and play by means of ache and simply discover a method to in the end come out on high.”
McGuire marveled at Bailey’s “excessive soccer IQ,” too. How he grasped each the sector and boundary finish/outdoors linebacker positions within the Pink Raiders’ protection, which have totally different tasks, with no need many reps. He understood the scheme holistically.
And that’s on high of “elite” traits. His bend. How he assaults offensive tackles. How massive and robust his arms are.
[The Book on Texas Tech Edge David Bailey]
With one other yr in Texas Tech’s protection, the coach mentioned, “You most likely see 15 to 17” sacks.
“I don’t even know if we scratched the floor of what he can do and what he could be,” McGuire advised me.
That’s for whichever NFL drafts him to substantiate.
