Texas Tech Stars Earn Lombardi Award Semifinalist Honors

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech University’s defense is making headlines as edge defender David Bailey and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez have both been recognized as semifinalists for the prestigious Lombardi Award. The announcement came on Tuesday, Nov. 4, marking a significant achievement for the Red Raiders who have seen a strong season in 2025.

The Lombardi Award, which honors the top college lineman or linebacker in the nation and is named after legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi, has narrowed its list to 13 semifinalists. Both Bailey and Rodriguez are among that elite group, putting Texas Tech in the spotlight alongside Ohio State as the only programs with multiple semifinalists this year.

Rodriguez’s performance this season has also earned him a place as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which recognizes the best linebacker in college football. The Butkus Award has been awarded since 1985 and is named after NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus.

Bailey, who transferred from Stanford, leads the nation’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with 11.5 sacks, alongside tallies of 27 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles. His dominating presence has been a game changer for Texas Tech’s defensive front.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, has become a crucial playmaker for the Red Raiders. The fifth-year senior leads the nation with seven forced fumbles, just one shy of the school record set in 2005. This season, Rodriguez has amassed 77 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery.

Associate head coach Kenny Perry praised both players during a press conference, saying, “We’re in the situation we’re in because of them two. They’ve totally changed the dynamic of this team.”

The No. 8 Red Raiders (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) currently rank first in FBS for rushing defense, fifth in scoring defense, and tenth in total defense. The finalists for the Lombardi Award will be revealed on Nov. 18, with the winners being announced on Dec. 10. The Butkus Award finalists will be disclosed on Nov. 25.

Both Bailey and Rodriguez will have another opportunity to showcase their talents in a much-anticipated matchup against the No. 7 BYU Cougars on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Jones AT&T Stadium.