Texas Tech University Athletics
Four Red Raiders included on AP All-America teams
December 15, 2025 | Football
Texas Tech was one of only four FBS schools with four or more selections to the AP All-America teams Monday
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech had four Red Raiders named to the Associated Press All-America teams Monday as linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and outside linebacker David Bailey were on the first team, while defensive linemen A.J. Holmes Jr. and Lee Hunter were recognized on the second and third teams, respectively.
Texas Tech was one of only two FBS programs with multiple first team selections on the defensive side of the ball and one of just four schools with four or more picks across the three teams, joining Ohio State (7), Indiana (6) and Oregon (4). All four of Texas Tech's selections by the panel of 52 Associated Press media members came from its top-ranked defense that is currently in the top five for both scoring defense, sacks and total defense.
This is the second All-America honor already for both Bailey and Rodriguez, who were tabbed to the Walter Camp All-America first team this past Friday. The selection by the Associated Press places both Bailey and Rodriguez in contention for possible consensus or unanimous All-America status, as determined by the NCAA. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) will release its All-America team on Tuesday followed by the Sporting News on Wednesday and the Football Writers Association (FWAA) on Thursday.
Texas Tech had not previously had multiple first team All-America selections by the Associated Press prior to this season as the last Red Raider to be recognized by the publication was tight end Jace Amaro in 2013. Additionally, the Associated Press had not selected a Red Raider to one of its three teams previously since rush end Tyree Wilson earned a second team nod in 2022.
Much like Wilson, Bailey has specialized in disrupting opposing defenses this season as he currently ranks second in the FBS with 13.5 sacks and third with 17.5 tackles for loss. Bailey, who leads all power conference players for sacks, has consistently been in the backfield all season, creating an FBS-leading 74 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. He has paired with fellow rush end Romello Height and both Holmes and Hunter on the interior to form possibly the nation's top defensive line as the Red Raiders are tied for fourth in the FBS with 39 sacks entering bowl season.
Holmes has contributed 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in his first season as a Red Raider, developing into an All-America selection after beginning the season as the primary backup to Skyler Gill-Howard. Holmes has more than filled Gill-Howard's role since his injury early in Big 12 play as he's the fourth-highest graded interior defensive lineman in the country by PFF, among those with at least 200 snaps. Holmes, who has an 86.5 overall grade, has created 34 pressures in passing scenarios and has been a driving force behind a Red Raider defense that leads the country with only 68.5 rushing yards allowed per game.
The same could be said for Hunter, who has excelled as both a vocal leader for the Red Raiders and an experienced presence in the middle of Texas Tech's defensive line. Hunter is often praised by Texas Tech's coaching staff for his ability to absorb multiple blockers, allowing Texas Tech's linebacker core and rush ends to either get to the quarterback quickly or fill run holes. Hunter has been credited with 34 tackles this season, including 8.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks after transferring this past offseason from UCF.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, is no stranger to national awards at this point as the winner of the Bednark Award (nation's top defensive player), the Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker), the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player), the Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman or linebacker) and the Pony Express Award (nation's top duo with Bailey) in the past week alone. He also finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting after turning in one of the most-impressive defensive seasons in recent history.
Rodriguez has been the most-disruptive player in college football this season as he enters the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl as the FBS leader with seven forced fumbles and ranks among the top-15 players nationally with 117 tackles. He is the first FBS player since 2005 to record at least five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions all in the same season. His impact has bolstered a Texas Tech defense that leads the nation with 31 takeaways and ranks third nationally in scoring defense at 10.9 points per game. Rodriguez was responsible for nine takeaways himself — all in Big 12 play – thanks to his ability to punch the ball out and also read the quarterback in coverage. Rodriguez is currently the highest-rated player in all of college football, according to Pro Football Focus, grading out at 93.3 overall so far this season.
As a team, Texas Tech is the only team in the country to rank in the top five nationally for not only scoring defense and total defense but also total offense and total defense. The result has pushed Texas Tech to its first Big 12 Conference title and a 12-1 record, marking the most wins in a season in school history.
The Red Raiders await the winner of the College Football Playoff opening round game between No. 5 Oregon and No. 12 seed James Madision in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Kickoff on New Year's Day is set for 11 a.m. CT with coverage provided on ESPN and the Texas Tech Sports Network.
