CFB Player Rank: The top 25 players at midseason - ESPN
11. David Bailey
LB, Texas Tech, Senior
2025 notable stats: 11 solo tackles, 8.5 sacks, 2 FF
2025 preseason ranking: 57
Bailey was one of the most highly-touted players in the transfer portal after recording eight tackles for loss and seven sacks for Stanford last year. He already has 9.5 TFL and 8.5 sacks, respectively, in half a season in Lubbock. The Red Raiders are in the driver's seat for a spot in the Big 12 Championship because of a transformed defense, and for as good as Jacob Rodriguez, Romello Height and others have been, Bailey's explosive pass rushing has played a massive role in the turnaround. -- Connelly
2. Jacob Rodriguez
LB, Texas Tech, Senior
2025 notable stats: 21 solo tackles, 2 FF, 3 PD
2025 preseason ranking: 92
If Rueben Bain Jr. has been the best defensive player in the sport, then Rodriguez is right on his heels. The Red Raiders boast the stingiest run defense in the country -- allowing only 62.5 rushing yards per game -- and Rodriguez is right at the center of it all. The senior has made his impact felt in the ground game and the air game, forcing multiple fumbles, deflecting passes and snatching multiple interceptions. It's safe to say opposing offenses hate to see him coming. -- Uggetti