David Bailey

NFL Draft Profile: David Bailey

Position: EDGE / OLB | School: Texas Tech (via Stanford) | Class: Senior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 250 lbs | Archetype: Pass Rusher (Speed Rusher)

College Career Summary

David Bailey arrives at the 2026 NFL Draft process as the most statistically dominant pure speed rusher in college football. A former elite recruit for Stanford, Bailey was a three-year starter in Palo Alto before transferring to Texas Tech for his final season. The move proved historic; Bailey led the FBS in total pressures (77) and finished the 2025 regular season with 13.5 sacks. He is a "twitched-up" athlete who wins primarily with a volcanic first step and elite ankle flexion (bend) around the arc. While his run defense is often criticized as "rotational level," his ability to erase the blind side of a quarterback has vaulted him into the Top-15 conversation.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 44

• Total Tackles: 149

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 38.5 (17.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 27.0 (13.5 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 9 (A testament to his "Star" impact and ball-hunting)

• PFF Pass Rush Grade (2025): 93.9 (1st in FBS)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Ark-Pine Bluff	0.5 TFL, 3 Pressures	B	Played limited snaps; elite get-off evident early.
vs. Kent State	1.0 Sack	B+	Speed was too much for MAC tackles.
vs. Oregon State	1.0 Sack, 1 FF	A-	Game-changing strip-sack; high Competitor drive.
@ Utah	1.0 Sack, 3 Tkl	B+	Disciplined in a physical, low-possession game.
@ Houston	2.0 Sacks, 3 Tkl	A	Elite Acceleration. Terrorized the backfield all night.
vs. Kansas	3.0 Sacks, 3 Tkl	A+	Season Best. Pure dominance; 3 sacks in one half.
@ Arizona State	2.0 Sacks, 3 Tkl	A	High Stamina; played 55+ snaps and remained explosive.
vs. Oklahoma St.	1 QBH, 1 Tkl	C-	Worst Game. Struggled with chip blocks and zone reads.
@ Kansas State	1.0 Sack, 1 Tkl	B	Found a way to impact the QB despite heavy focus.
vs. BYU	5 Pressures, 3 Tkl	B+	Impacted the rhythm of the game without the sack stats.
vs. UCF	1.0 Sack, 2 Tkl	B+	Burned the edge on a crucial 3rd-and-long.
@ West Virginia	4 Tkl, 2 QBH	B-	Physical battle; showed improved Run Block Shred.
B12 Champ: BYU	1.0 Sack, 1 FF, 2 Tkl	A-	Big-game player; delivered a sack in the 4th quarter.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Historic Pressure Rate: Leads the nation with a 19.9%–28.4% pressure rate. He wins "fast," often ending reps in under 2.5 seconds.

• The "Ghost" Move: Bailey has an elite ability to "dip and rip," reducing his surface area so OTs can’t land a punch.

• Ball Security Specialist: 9 career forced fumbles. He doesn't just want the sack; he wants the turnover.

• High Motor: Despite being a "speed" guy, his Pursuit is relentless. He will chase a play 40 yards downfield to make a stop.

Weaknesses

• Run Defense Anchor: At 250 lbs, he is undersized. He can be "washed out" by heavy power-running schemes and double-teams.

• Play Strength: Correlating weight room strength to the field is a concern; he can be stalemated by OTs with elite length if he doesn't win with his first step.

• Discipline vs. Zone Read: Can be over-aggressive, losing his edge containment by biting on fakes or shooting gaps too early.

Scheme Fit: Ideal 3-4 Outside Linebacker or a Wide-9 DE in a 4-3.

NFL Comparison: Brian Burns / Cliff Avril

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 18/20 | Physical Tools: 17/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 20/20 | IQ: 16/20

Final Grade: 89/100

David Bailey is a "pure" edge burner. In a league that prioritizes "Positional Value" for anyone who can hit the QB, Bailey’s 13.5-sack senior season is a golden ticket. While there are legitimate concerns about his ability to stay on the field for all three downs in a heavy run-front, his third-down value is Top-10 in this class. He is a "Star" whose impact is felt every time the opposing team enters a passing situation.

Draft Projection: 1st Round (Top 20)