Three Red Raiders named to Bednarik Award watch list
Texas Tech’s defense will open the 2025 season with as much star power as any unit in the country – and the national spotlight to prove it. Seniors David Bailey, Lee Hunter, and Jacob Rodriguez were each named Monday to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, placing the Red Raiders among just seven programs nationally with three or more candidates for college football’s top defensive honor.
Presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club, the Bednarik Award recognizes the most outstanding defensive player in the nation and is named in honor of NFL Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik. The recognition adds to an already decorated preseason for Texas Tech’s veteran trio, each entering the fall with proven production, national accolades, and high expectations in Lubbock.
David Bailey – Edge Rusher
Bailey joined the Red Raiders this spring as one of the nation’s most sought-after transfer portal additions. ESPN’s Max Olsen ranked him as the top defensive player to change teams this offseason and the No. 9 overall transfer, with evaluations based on production, experience, potential, and feedback from coaches and general managers across the sport. Known for his explosive first step and ability to disrupt both the run and pass game, Bailey has also been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list this preseason.
Lee Hunter – Defensive Tackle
Anchoring the middle of Texas Tech’s defensive front, Hunter arrived in Lubbock this spring as the portal’s top-rated defensive tackle and fourth-highest ranked defensive player overall, according to ESPN’s transfer rankings. At 6-foot-4 and over 320 pounds, he brings a rare combination of size, strength, and mobility to the Red Raider interior. Hunter has also earned spots on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy watch lists, cementing his status as one of the most impactful interior defenders in the country.
Jacob Rodriguez – Linebacker
A cornerstone of the Red Raider defense, Rodriguez returns for his fourth season in the Scarlet and Black as the 2025 Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The veteran linebacker is already on the Butkus Award and Nagurski Trophy watch lists, underscoring his reputation as one of the conference’s most complete defenders. With a blend of instinct, tackling ability, and leadership, Rodriguez is expected to be the emotional and tactical centerpiece of Texas Tech’s defense this fall.
What’s next for each of these finalists
With Bailey, Hunter, and Rodriguez anchoring the defense, Texas Tech enters 2025 with one of the most experienced and decorated units in the Big 12. All three are expected to be impact players from Week 1, with Bailey’s edge pressure, Hunter’s interior dominance, and Rodriguez’s leadership setting the tone for the Red Raiders’ defensive identity. Their performances this fall won’t just shape Tech’s pursuit of a conference title — they’ll also determine whether the trio can advance from preseason recognition to semifinalist or finalist status when the Bednarik Award field narrows in November.
