Dec. 11, 2025, 8:13 p.m. CT
The Texas Tech football team’s first Big 12 championship and first appearance in the College Football Playoff are primarily attributable to a relentless defense.
That unit got its due on the USA TODAY Sports All-America team released on Thursday, Dec. 11. Edge defender David Bailey and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez were named to the first team, and defensive tackle Lee Hunter made the second team.
Bailey is second in the FBS and first among Power Four conference defenders with 13 1/2 sacks. Rodriguez has been credited with 117 tackles and has been a turnover machine with seven caused fumbles, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. Hunter’s been credited with 35 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and three sacks.
Texas Tech (12-1) leads the FBS in turnovers gained with 31 and in rushing defense with an average yield of 68.5 yards per game. The Red Raiders are third in scoring defense, giving up 10.92 points per game.
The team was selected in balloting from 25 voters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.
In the past week, Bailey and Rodriguez won the Pony Express Award, which goes to the nation’s top tandem of teammates. The other finalists for the award were Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Georgia linebackers C.J. Allen and Raylen Wilson and Notre Dame running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.
Rodriguez also has won the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top linebacker, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to college football’s best defensive player, and the Lombardi Award, which honors the top lineman or linebacker. He followed Boston College’s Luke Kuechly in 2011 and Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o in 2012 as the only players to win all three awards in the same year.
Seven Texas Tech football players make Associated Press All-Big 12 team
Rodriguez was named defensive player of the year on The Associated Press All-Big 12 team released Thursday, matching the honor he won on the all-conference team selected by Big 12 head coaches.
The Red Raiders had seven players named to the first team, the most in the Big 12. The seven: running back Cameron Dickey, Bailey, Hunter, defensive tackle A.J. Holmes, Rodriguez, cornerback Brice Pollock and kicker Stone Harrington.
Tech players on the second team were offensive guard Davion Carter and defensive end Romello Height.
The AP All-Big 12 team was selected by a vote of 17 sportswriters and sportscasters who cover the conference.
