David Bailey, EDGE
School: Texas Tech | Conference: Big 12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22.4 (DOB: 08/28/2003)
Height / Weight: 6’3” / 247 lbs (verified in-season)
Projected Draft Status: 1st Round (Top 15)
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int | Yds | IntTD | PD | FR | Yds | FRTD | FF | Awards |
| 2022 | Stanford | Pac-12 | FR | LB | 10 | 29 | 17 | 46 | 8.5 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2023 | Stanford | Pac-12 | SO | LB | 10 | 22 | 12 | 34 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2024 | Stanford | ACC | JR | LB | 12 | 22 | 9 | 31 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| 2025 | Texas Tech | Big 12 | SR | LB | 14 | 32 | 20 | 52 | 19.5 | 14.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | AA |
| Career | 46 | 105 | 58 | 163 | 42.0 | 29.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | |||||
| Stanford (3 Yrs) | 32 | 73 | 38 | 111 | 22.5 | 14.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |||||
| Texas Tech (1 Yr) | 14 | 32 | 20 | 52 | 19.5 | 14.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||||
Player Overview
Bailey arrived at Texas Tech as one of the most decorated transfers in the country after three productive years at Stanford. A former four-star standout from Mater Dei, Bailey was a dominant force for the Cardinal before making the move to the hyper-aggressive defensive system in Lubbock. In his
lone season with the Red Raiders, Bailey asserted himself as one of the country’s premier pass rushers, accumulating 81 pressures and 15 sacks, helping propel Texas Tech into the College Football Playoff conversation.
As a whole, his senior campaign in 2025 was a masterclass in rushing the passer. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned Unanimous All-American honors. At 6’3″, and 247 lbs, Bailey is the prototype for a twitched-up, versatile outside linebacker who can win with his first step or an advanced array of hand-fighting techniques. He’s not the most flexible pass-rusher in the class as his lower half showcases stiffness at times when running the arc, but the overall profile of Bailey’s game paints the picture of an explosive sack artist who has also shown the ability to make plays when he isn’t impacting the pocket — see tape vs Oregon.
Strengths
- Elite First Step: Possesses an elite get-off that frequently leaves offensive tackles in a recovery state before they can set their feet.
- Advanced Pass-Rush Arsenal: Displays a deep bag of initial moves and counters including a signature ghost-move (flash and disappear hands), club-swim, and a highly effective speed-to-power transition.
- High Motor: A relentless pursuer who frequently records sacks and tackles for loss on the backside of plays through pure effort.
- Length and Leverage: Uses his reach effectively to establish first contact and keep blockers out of his chest.
- Versatility: Comfortable playing with his hand in the dirt or standing up, and has shown the fluidity to drop into shallow zones when required.
Weaknesses
- Run Support Anchor: Despite his production, he can be moved by larger offensive tackles in the run game; lacks the bulk to consistently hold the point of attack.
- Gap Discipline: Occasionally freelances with blockers that can lead to vacated gaps.
- Ankle Stiffness: While he has great straight-line speed, his aforementioned bend around the corner is adequate rather than elite; he occasionally struggles to “run the hoop” against flexible tackles — a drill you often see at the NFL Combine to showcase range of motion in the ankle at top speed.
Let’s See His Work
How He Fits on the Commanders
Bailey represents the quintessential force multiplier for a Commanders defense undergoing a massive philosophical shift under new DC Daronte Jones. In Jones’ system — which borrows heavily from the Brian Flores pressure-heavy tree—Bailey’s role would likely be as a versatile stand-up rush linebacker or a situational hand-in-the-dirt end.
Jones has been vocal about his matchability philosophy, emphasizing that “4-3 or 3-4 are just numbers.” It’s music to the ears for a ballplayer like Bailey, who thrives in an odd-front rush role where he can utilize his deep pass rush repertoire. While Bailey has room to grow against the run game, Jones’ history suggests he would potentially mask these deficiencies by deploying Bailey in unique alignments designed to dictate the terms to the offense.
Key Synergies in Jones’ System:
- Edge Versatility: Much like how Jones plans to utilize Frankie Luvu, Bailey can be deployed to hunt specific matchups by targeting slower offensive tackles or being used in stunts and games up front to exploit protection gaps.
- Approach: Jones is known for a “players first, scheme second” mantra. Bailey’s ability to win one-on-one is exactly the juice Washington lacked in 2025.
- Aggressive Identity: With 15 sacks and 81 total pressures in his final college season, Bailey fits the violent and attacking style Jones wants to instill in D.C.
