David Bailey-LB, Texas Tech, 6'3" 250 lbs.
Now that the regular season is over, Sportsvival shifts its focus to defensive prospects projected for the 2026 NFL Draft. Today’s profile spotlights David Bailey, Texas Tech’s ascending linebacker whose range, instincts, and leadership have vaulted him into early first‑round conversations as one of the premier second‑level defenders in college football.
Background and Recruit Profile
High School: Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California); consensus four‑star recruit.
High School Production: Senior season: 105 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 2 interceptions.
Bailey’s blend of athleticism and football IQ earned him national attention and a scholarship to Stanford, where he began his college career before transferring to Texas Tech.
Physical Profile and Measurables
Height/Weight: 6 ft 3 in; 250 lbs.
Frame: Prototypical linebacker build with length and strength to stack and shed.
Athletic Traits: Explosive first step, fluid change of direction, and closing burst in pursuit.
College Career and Production
Stanford (2022–2024):
2022 (Freshman): 46 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
2023 (Sophomore): 34 tackles, 5 sacks.
2024 (Junior): 31 tackles, 7 sacks, 5 forced fumbles. Bailey flashed pass‑rush ability early, earning Freshman All‑American honors and establishing himself as Stanford’s most disruptive edge defender despite the team’s struggles.
Transfer to Texas Tech (April 2025): Bailey entered the portal after Stanford fired head coach Troy Taylor, choosing Texas Tech over Texas and UCLA. His move was part of Tech’s aggressive NIL‑backed roster overhaul.
Texas Tech (2025 Senior Season):
38 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles. Bailey exploded onto the Big 12 stage, earning Defensive Newcomer of the Year and First‑Team All‑Big 12 honors. His sack total led the FBS, and he became a cornerstone of Tech’s playoff‑bound defense.
Strengths
Instincts and Processing: Reads keys quickly, anticipates blocking schemes, and reacts decisively.
Range: Covers ground efficiently, making plays from hash to sideline.
Physicality: Strong at the point of attack, sheds blocks with leverage and hand use.
Leadership: Vocal presence on defense, sets alignments, and elevates teammates’ execution.
Pass‑Rush Impact: Elite first step and bend, disruptive in pressure packages.
Weaknesses
Coverage Refinement: Needs continued growth in man coverage against athletic tight ends and backs.
Pad Level Consistency: At times plays too upright, reducing power at the point of attack.
Testing Verification: NFL evaluators will want confirmed speed/agility metrics to validate athletic ceiling.
Player Profile and Projection
Draft Projection: Early Round 1 candidate if testing confirms athletic traits and coverage continues to progress.
Role Projection: Day‑1 starter as an off‑ball linebacker or hybrid EDGE in multiple fronts.
Ceiling/Floor:
Floor: Reliable three‑down starter who anchors a defense with tackling and leadership.
Ceiling: Pro Bowl‑caliber linebacker capable of impacting run defense, coverage, and pressure packages.
Pro Comparison
Primary Comparison: Demario Davis.
Like Davis, Bailey projects as a rangy, physical linebacker who thrives on instincts, leadership, and versatility rather than elite athletic flash.
Sportsvival View
Sportsvival views David Bailey as one of the safest linebacker bets in the 2026 class. His Stanford foundation (2022–2024) showcased steady growth, while his Texas Tech breakout (2025: 12.5 sacks, 2 FF) cemented him as a premier defensive prospect. Continued refinement in coverage and strong pre‑draft testing could lock Bailey into a top‑10 selection and a cornerstone role for an NFL defense.