Texas Tech Red Raiders – Official Athletics Website

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior outside linebacker David Bailey was named to the Lott IMPACT® Trophy watch list Wednesday, kicking off what could be a slew of preseason recognitions for the Red Raiders heading into the 2025 season.

 

Bailey is one of 42 preseason candidates for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes the top defensive player in college football who makes the biggest impact for his team, both on and off the field. Now in its 22nd year, it is the only major defensive college football award that considers character as part of its selection process. 

 

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott, the Lott IMPACT® Trophy is awarded annually to college football’s defensive player of the year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT® Foundation, the Lott IMPACT® Trophy is the first and only college football award to recognize both athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

 

The award is presented to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT® Foundation and a distinguished group of former college football head coaches.

 

Bailey is the highest-rated returning edge player in college football by Pro Football Focus after receiving a 90.9 overall defensive grade by the publication last season while a junior at Stanford. Bailey, who transferred to Texas Tech this spring as part of the nation’s top portal class, ranked sixth among edge rushers nationally last season by PFF, grading slightly behind Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall pick several weeks ago in the NFL Draft.

 

Bailey, himself, is already projected as a potential first round pick a year from now after a stellar three-year with the Cardinal where he combined for 111 tackles (73 solo), including 22.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles. Bailey enters his final collegiate season tied for second among active FBS players for career forced fumbles as he trails only the 11 from Red Murdock of Buffalo.

 

Bailey caused five forced fumbles during his standout junior season alone to go along with 31 tackles (22 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. He led all FBS players with a 93.2 grade as a pass rusher by PFF, which credited him with 39 total pressures on the season. He combined for 91 total pressures over his three seasons with the Cardinal as he added 6.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks as a sophomore in 2023 and then 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2022. He was tabbed a true freshman All-American by 247Sports following his true freshman season.

 

Off the field, Bailey earned his bachelor’s degree in science, technology and science from Stanford in less than four years. He was a member of the All-ACC Academic Team that was announced following the 2024 season.

 

Bailey arrived at Texas Tech in April and was able to complete the final two weeks of spring practices with the Red Raiders. He will make his Red Raider debut Aug. 30 when Texas Tech opens the 2025 season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff inside Jones AT&T Stadium.