Friday Feature #27: David Bailey
Anyone who follows my articles knows I am a huge fan of Spencer Fano. One of the only players to get the better of him this year was David Bailey, a player I believe could be one of the best in this entire draft class. Bailey transferred from Stanford before the 2025 season as part of the Texas Tech “stacked” portal class. He led the FBS in sacks and generally took over games during the Red Raiders’ CFP run, even in defeat, and is set to hear his name called very early in April. Check out my detailed scouting report on Bailey below:
Background & Measurables
Name: David Bailey
Year: Senior
Size: 6'4, 251 pounds, Hands: 10 1/4", Arms: 33 3/4"(Combine verified)
Position/Scheme Fit: OLB in a 3-3-5 scheme
Former 4-star recruit out of Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana, California. He committed to Stanford ahead of the other 3 California schools, which was a big get at the time for the Cardinals. In 2022, he emerged as one of the top true freshmen in college football, making nine starts in his 11 games played for the Cardinal. Totalled 46 tackles on the season, including 8.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Tabbed a True Freshman All-American by 247Sports following the season. He played in 10 games and made five starts in 2023, building off his successful freshman campaign. He led the team in tackles for loss and sacks, finishing with 34 total tackles, including 6.0 for a loss and 5.0 sacks.
Bailey was one of the most productive pass-rushers in college football in 2024 at Stanford. In fact, his 30.2% pass-rush win rate led all edge defenders in college football. He recorded 31 tackles (22 solo) over his 12 games played as a junior, including two starts. Led the Cardinal in tackles for loss (8.0), quarterback hurries (8), sacks (7.0) and forced fumbles (5). Following that season and the departure of Head Coach Troy Taylor, he entered the portal and joined the Red Raiders. He would go on to lead the nation in sacks in 2025 with 14.5. He also led the Big 12 in tackles for loss with 19.5 and helped guide Texas Tech to a Big 12 title and a CFP appearance. An explosive Combine performance has Bailey in a position to be selected in the top 10 in April.
Games watched: Colorado (2023), TCU (2024), Louisville (2024), Utah (2025), Arizona State (2025), Oregon CFP (2025).
Detailed Scouting Report
Strengths
1. Versatile player who has played all over the Stanford and Texas Tech defenses. Played at OLB in coverage and has rushed both stand up and hand in the dirt from either side of the line.
2. Has some advanced pass rush moves. Uses an explosive spin move and bull rush to great effect, and he's a real handful for offensive linemen. Good patience and timing on his moves and can tee up linemen and make them look silly when he bends to the outside or gets into their chest.
3. Certainly has a nose for the football. Good technique to jar the ball loose, shown as he had 5 FFs in 2024, which was top 3 in the FBS and another 2 in 2025, including the Big 12 championship game.
4. Shows great hustle and recovery speed. Chased down a surefire TD vs TCU in an amazing play to take down the QB at the 1-yard line. Gets his hands up to bat down passes and plays with football IQ. Best player on the field vs Oregon despite the TTU offence being run off the field all game.
5. Plays with good power despite his smaller frame. Lays some big hits on RBs and has been a real tone-setter for whatever defense he has been on. Can knock linemen off balance with strong upper body and length and make plays on the backside.
Development Points
1. While he routinely makes splash, he leaves plays on the field. Gets pressures at a ridiculous rate and could have many more sacks than he did during his college career. Also missed 5 tackles in 2025, which he can clean up further.
2. Not particularly robust against the run. Had as many tackles as pressures in 2023 (24) and had even fewer (21) in 2024. Had a career high in terms of tackles against the run this year, but is not the most stout player at the line of scrimmage.
3. Lack of functional strength due to his relatively small size for an OLB. Can get pushed around a bit, and you see him on the ground more often than you'd like. Had a strong game overall vs Utah, but definitely had stretches where the big tackles got him down and out of the play early in the down.
4. Gets spelled a lot in games, which I am not sure if it's a conditioning or situational thing or a coaching issue. Can be out of the game for really important stretches. Improved in 2025 in terms of snap count, but still need to see what level of usage he'll be able to handle at the NFL level.
5. Needs to trust his instincts more, as he made some bad reads on RPO plays vs ASU and others. Will need to focus in and not get too excited when in the backfield, which should come with development and time.
Conclusion
Bailey was one of the highest-profile players to transfer last year, moving from the ACC to the Big 12 to join Texas Tech. And man, did it work out for the former 4-star recruit. Bailey brings a versatile, well-rounded skillset, capable of playing almost anywhere across the front seven to great effect. Some size and play strength concerns are undoubtedly there; however, his tape reveals a tone-setting edge with a nose for the football and serious pass rush maturity and burst to finish plays to the tune of 14.5 sacks his final year. The former Red Raider is one of the best players in the 2026 class, regardless of position and showed out as an athlete at the Combine, further boosting his stock. He put it all together in 2025, and I would be surprised if he makes it past the top 10 of the draft in April.
Grade: 7.7/9.0 (Top 10 grade)
Player Comp
Bailey is a combination of 2 pass rushers I loved coming out of school in B.J. Ojulari and Nik Bonitto. he is a better prospect than both those players, but could prove to be a game-changing player off the edge.
Team Fits
Patriots, Cardinals, Vikings, Giants, Titans