Texas Tech University Athletics
Bailey, Rodriguez add AFCA All-America to growing honors list
December 16, 2025 | Football
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech seniors David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez were named first-team selections to the 2025 AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America Team, as announced Tuesday by the American Football Coaches Association. The AFCA is the third of five NCAA-recognized organizations to select the Red Raider duo as first-team All-Americans toward the NCAA's consensus All-America team.
Bailey, an edge rusher, and Rodriguez, a linebacker, were previously named first-team All-Americans by the Walter Camp Football Foundation on Friday and the Associated Press on Monday. The Sporting News will announce its All-America team on Wednesday, followed by the Football Writers Association of America on Thursday, before the NCAA recognizes its consensus All-America selections on Friday.
Before the 2025 season, 27 Texas Tech players had earned first-team All-America honors from an NCAA-recognized selector, with 11 going on to be named consensus All-Americans. Michael Crabtree remains the program's only two-time consensus All-American. Mark Bounds (1991), Zach Thomas (1995), Byron Hanspard (1996), Crabtree (2007–08), and Jace Amaro (2013) are Texas Tech's all-time unanimous All-America selections.
Bailey and Rodriguez have received extensive national recognition after helping lead Texas Tech to its first Big 12 Championship on Dec. 6. The duo was honored with the Pony Express Award, presented to the nation's most outstanding teammate duo, regardless of position, and both were among the four finalists for the Lombardi Award, which Rodriguez won. The Lombardi Trophy added to a postseason collection for Rodriguez that also includes the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, and the Bednarik Award.
Texas Tech, which earned its first bid to the College Football Playoff, will face the winner of the first-round matchup between Oregon and James Madison on Dec. 20. The Red Raiders will play the victor in the CFP quarterfinals on Jan. 1 at the Capital One Orange Bowl.
To view the complete AFCA All-America first and second-teams, visit AFCA.com.Â
AFCA Team Background
The teams now chosen for each of the AFCA's five divisions evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams, the University Division and the College Division, were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — Division I-A and Division I-AA. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the Division I-A and Division I-AA teams were renamed Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), respectively. The AFCA started selecting an NAIA All-America Team in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America. From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. A third wide receiver was added to the team in 2024.
The AFCA Award
Members of the AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America First Team will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com.
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Bailey, an edge rusher, and Rodriguez, a linebacker, were previously named first-team All-Americans by the Walter Camp Football Foundation on Friday and the Associated Press on Monday. The Sporting News will announce its All-America team on Wednesday, followed by the Football Writers Association of America on Thursday, before the NCAA recognizes its consensus All-America selections on Friday.
Before the 2025 season, 27 Texas Tech players had earned first-team All-America honors from an NCAA-recognized selector, with 11 going on to be named consensus All-Americans. Michael Crabtree remains the program's only two-time consensus All-American. Mark Bounds (1991), Zach Thomas (1995), Byron Hanspard (1996), Crabtree (2007–08), and Jace Amaro (2013) are Texas Tech's all-time unanimous All-America selections.
Bailey and Rodriguez have received extensive national recognition after helping lead Texas Tech to its first Big 12 Championship on Dec. 6. The duo was honored with the Pony Express Award, presented to the nation's most outstanding teammate duo, regardless of position, and both were among the four finalists for the Lombardi Award, which Rodriguez won. The Lombardi Trophy added to a postseason collection for Rodriguez that also includes the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award, and the Bednarik Award.
Texas Tech, which earned its first bid to the College Football Playoff, will face the winner of the first-round matchup between Oregon and James Madison on Dec. 20. The Red Raiders will play the victor in the CFP quarterfinals on Jan. 1 at the Capital One Orange Bowl.
To view the complete AFCA All-America first and second-teams, visit AFCA.com.Â
AFCA Team Background
The teams now chosen for each of the AFCA's five divisions evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams, the University Division and the College Division, were selected. In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — Division I-A and Division I-AA. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III, respectively. In 2006, the Division I-A and Division I-AA teams were renamed Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), respectively. The AFCA started selecting an NAIA All-America Team in 2006. In 2016, the AFCA added a second team All-America. From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006. A third wide receiver was added to the team in 2024.
The AFCA Award
Members of the AFCA FBS Coaches' All-America First Team will receive a plaque commemorating their selection to the team, while members of the Second Team will receive a certificate.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com.
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