EXCLUSIVE; Texas Tech Closing in on Elite Pass Rusher—Could This Be the Game-Changer for 2025?

Texas Tech has already secured several talented players through the transfer portal this offseason, but the Red Raiders are still looking to strengthen their roster. According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports and 247Sports, head coach Joey McGuire and his staff are hosting Stanford outside linebacker David Bailey.

Bailey, who entered the transfer portal on Friday, made the decision shortly after Stanford dismissed head coach Troy Taylor. A standout player, Bailey earned Freshman All-American honors in 2022 and has started 16 games throughout his college career. Over that time, he has recorded 111 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks.

In 2024, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound pass rusher led Stanford with 8.0 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hurries, 7.0 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles, finishing the season with 31 total tackles. He is widely regarded as one of the top players in the transfer portal and is considered a potential early-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Beefing up the pass rush has been a major focus for Texas Tech this offseason after a lackluster performance in 2024. The Red Raiders ranked 99th nationally and 13th in the Big 12 in sacks, averaging just 1.62 per game. No player on the team recorded more than 5.0 sacks, with middle linebacker Jacob Rodriguez leading the way.

To address this weakness, Tech has added four transfer defensive linemen, including Romello Height from Georgia Tech, who had 6.5 career sacks and was among the ACC’s top-rated pass rushers last season. Adding Bailey to the mix would provide a significant boost, potentially giving Tech a strong pass-rushing duo alongside Height. He would also join returnees like Isaac Smith, Josep Adedire, Charles Esters, and Amier Washington, who have shown flashes of potential but have yet to become dominant forces.

If Texas Tech wants to improve defensively in 2025, generating more pressure on opposing quarterbacks will be essential. Bailey’s decision could play a crucial role in that transformation as he evaluates what the Red Raiders and Lubbock have to offer.