PITTSBURGH, PA — Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey was selected No. 2 overall by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, becoming the highest-drafted defensive player in program history.
Bailey is the second-highest pick all-time for the Red Raiders, trailing only Dave Parks, who went No. 1 overall in 1964.
"It's surreal to me, man. It's a great experience. It's an awesome opportunity," Bailey said from the draft stage in downtown Pittsburgh after hugging NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "I'm grateful to all the fans who came out here tonight. I just want to be a sponge, soak up everything, and make me the best player I can be to help this organization. I think they want to go in the right direction, and I'm just ready to work."
Texas Tech's David Bailey drafted No. 2 overall by the New York Jets in the 2026 NFL Draft
(Credit: texastech.com)
Bailey becomes the 10th first-round pick in Texas Tech history and the second under head coach Joey McGuire. He follows former Red Raider Tyree Wilson, who was selected No. 7 overall in 2023.
In his lone season at Texas Tech after transferring from Stanford, Bailey appeared in all 14 games with 13 starts and recorded 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks — the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He also forced three fumbles and recovered one.
Bailey earned unanimous All-America honors, along with teammate Jacob Rodriguez, and was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year — the first Red Raider to receive the conference’s top defensive line honor.
The Jets add Bailey to a pass rush that totaled 26 sacks in 2025. He becomes the highest defensive draft pick in franchise history and the sixth Texas Tech player selected by the organization in the common draft era.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: