Texas Tech University Athletics
Bailey, Rodriguez named to Sporting News' All-America Team
December 17, 2025 | Football
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech seniors David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez were named first-team selections to the Sporting News 2025 College Football All-America Team, as announced Wednesday by the organization. The Sporting News is the fourth of five NCAA-recognized selectors to name the Red Raider duo as first-team All-Americans toward the NCAA's consensus All-America team.
If Bailey and Rodriguez receive first-team honors Thursday from the final selector, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), they would join Mark Bounds (1991), Zach Thomas (1995), Byron Hanspard (1996), Michael Crabtree (2007–08), and Jace Amaro (2013) as Texas Tech's all-time unanimous All-America selections.
Bailey, an edge rusher, and Rodriguez, a linebacker, were previously named first-team All-Americans by the Walter Camp Football Foundation on Friday, the Associated Press on Monday, and the AFCA on Tuesday. The NCAA will officially recognize its consensus All-America selections on Friday.
Before the 2025 season, 27 Texas Tech players had earned first-team All-America honors, accounting for 49 all-time All-America selections (first-, second-, or third-team). In addition to Bailey and Rodriguez's first-team recognition, the Associated Press named A.J. Holmes Jr. to its second team and defensive tackle Lee Hunter to its third team on Monday, marking an unprecedented season of national honors for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech's most recent All-American prior to 2025 was Tyree Wilson, who earned first-team honors in 2022.
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 Sporting News All-America first and second teams, visit SportingNews.com.
Sporting News History
Founded in 1934, the Sporting News All-America Team—then awarded by The Sporting News—has long been one of college football's most respected individual honors. Originally selected by panels of sportswriters, the team later incorporated evaluations from scouts and football observers as the sport evolved. Today, Sporting News is one of the NCAA's five recognized selectors, with its first-team selections counting toward Consensus and Unanimous All-America status.
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If Bailey and Rodriguez receive first-team honors Thursday from the final selector, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), they would join Mark Bounds (1991), Zach Thomas (1995), Byron Hanspard (1996), Michael Crabtree (2007–08), and Jace Amaro (2013) as Texas Tech's all-time unanimous All-America selections.
Bailey, an edge rusher, and Rodriguez, a linebacker, were previously named first-team All-Americans by the Walter Camp Football Foundation on Friday, the Associated Press on Monday, and the AFCA on Tuesday. The NCAA will officially recognize its consensus All-America selections on Friday.
Before the 2025 season, 27 Texas Tech players had earned first-team All-America honors, accounting for 49 all-time All-America selections (first-, second-, or third-team). In addition to Bailey and Rodriguez's first-team recognition, the Associated Press named A.J. Holmes Jr. to its second team and defensive tackle Lee Hunter to its third team on Monday, marking an unprecedented season of national honors for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech's most recent All-American prior to 2025 was Tyree Wilson, who earned first-team honors in 2022.
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 Sporting News All-America first and second teams, visit SportingNews.com.
Sporting News History
Founded in 1934, the Sporting News All-America Team—then awarded by The Sporting News—has long been one of college football's most respected individual honors. Originally selected by panels of sportswriters, the team later incorporated evaluations from scouts and football observers as the sport evolved. Today, Sporting News is one of the NCAA's five recognized selectors, with its first-team selections counting toward Consensus and Unanimous All-America status.
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