Texas Tech University Athletics
Bailey, Rodriguez named finalists for Lombardi Award
November 18, 2025 | Football
Texas Tech had two of the four finalists selected for the prestigious Lombardi Award on Tuesday
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and outside linebacker David Bailey were named Tuesday two of the four finalists for the Lombardi Award, which honors the nation's top college linemen and linebackers.
Texas Tech represents half of the final field for the prestigious Lombardi Award, which will present its 2025 winner on Dec. 10 in Houston. The duo of Rodriguez and Bailey were joined as finalists by Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell and Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor.
Now in its 52nd year, the Lombardi Award has been presented annually in Houston since its inception. Selected from a preseason watch list of more than 50 players representing every FBS conference as well as independent schools, the four finalists exemplify the highest standards of character, discipline and excellency both on and off the field. The award was established in 1970 by the Rotary Club of Houston in memory of legendary coach Vince Lombardi.
The fact Texas Tech boasts half the finalist field demonstrates the transformation of its defense, which has pushed the Red Raiders to a 10-1 start to their season and 7-1 mark in Big 12 play. Texas Tech has already secured its seventh 10-win season in program history and can clinch its first-ever appearance in the Edward Jones Big 12 Championship with a victory Nov. 29 in the regular-season finale at West Virginia.
The Red Raiders continue to rank among the nation's elite defenses thanks to both Bailey and Rodriguez, coming in at No. 2 nationally in turnovers gained (25) this week, No. 3 in scoring defense (12.3) as well as No. 8 in total defense (266.1 yards per game). Texas Tech is the only team in the country to currently rank in the top five for scoring defense, scoring offense and takeaways per game.
Rodriguez has done his part in the takeaway category with a stat line not seen in recent college football history. The senior is now up to 100 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and an FBS-leading seven forced fumbles after leading the Red Raiders with nine stops and an interception last weekend versus UCF. Dating back to 2005, Rodriguez is the only FBS player to record at least five forced fumbles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries all in the same season.
Rodriguez has had his hand in nine takeaways for the Red raiders already this season, all during Big 12 play. He has produced at least one takeaway in each game during Texas Tech's current four-game winning streak, which was highlighted by a key interception and fumble recovery in a top-10 win over BYU. Rodriguez has been named a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week following each of the past three games and four times overall. He is also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, the Butkus Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Bailey, meanwhile, has drastically impacted Texas Tech's defensive improvements with an FBS-leading 12.5 sacks this season. He has found the quarterback in nine of 11 games so far this season for a Red Raider defense that has combined for 33.0 total sacks, the most in the Big 12 and the fifth-highest total thus far in the country. Bailey already ranks fourth on the Texas Tech single-season chart with his 12.5 sacks this season, trailing only Brandon Sharpe's 15.0 from 2009, Adell Duckett's 14.0 from 2003 and Brandon Williams' 13.0 from 2008.
Bailey is the fourth-highest graded defensive player in the country with a 92.4 grade by Pro Football Focus, joining Rodriguez (93.8) and teammate Romello Height (92.3) in the top five nationally. The publication has Texas Tech ranked as its highest-rated overall defense and top pass-rushing unit in the country this week thanks in part to Bailey, who has totaled 34 tackles this season, including 16.0 for a loss and 12.5 sacks. He's also forced two fumbles and recovered one to go along with 71 total pressures according to PFF, easily the most in the FBS. Â
The duo will look to add to their impressive season Nov. 29 when the No. 6 Red Raiders close the regular season at West Virginia. The Big 12 Conference announced Monday that the regular-season finale has been held under a six-day window with the kickoff time and television designation expected by Sunday morning.
