David Bailey is a defensive end and 2026 NFL Draft prospect who played his final season at Texas Tech after three seasons at Stanford. A native of Orange, California, Bailey was a consensus four-star recruit in the 2022 class, ranked the No. 3 edge rusher and No. 33 overall player nationally, and chose Stanford over Alabama and Penn State. He made an immediate impact with the Cardinal, earning true freshman All-American recognition after posting 46 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, then accumulated 34 tackles, six tackles for loss and five sacks in 2023 and 31 tackles, eight tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2024. When Stanford's coaching staff turned over, Bailey entered the transfer portal and signed with Texas Tech for one historic final season. In 2025 he led the Big 12 in sacks with 13.5 and ranked second nationally, adding 17.5 tackles for loss and 52 tackles while earning unanimous All-American recognition, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and an invitation to the Senior Bowl. His career totals of 163 tackles and 29 sacks reflect consistent production across four seasons and two programs.
Measured at 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds with elite burst and a 4.50-second 40-yard dash, Bailey is the top pure pass rusher in the 2026 class. His first step is among the fastest in the draft and his ability to reach top speed rapidly allows him to stress tackles before they can set their kick-slide. He has developed a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves including speed-to-power, hand swipes, rips, spins and inside counter moves that make him a versatile rusher. The primary concern is his run defense, where his thin lower half, leaky edge setting and 15.8 percent career missed-tackle rate create questions about his ability to hold up on early downs as a full-time player. He projects as a mid-first-round pick who will provide immediate impact as a designated pass rusher and sub-package edge defender, with upside to develop into a complete starting defensive end as his run-defense fundamentals improve at the professional level.
