Texas Tech University Athletics
2025 Texas Tech Football Postseason Awards Tracker
Last updated Dec. 12, 2025
Dec. 12: Chuck Bednarik Award (source)
Presented to the best defensive player in college football
- Finalist: S, Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- Finalist: DE, Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
- Finalist: LB, Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech – WON
Dec. 12: Walter Camp All-America Team (source)
Defense
LB: David Bailey, First Team
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, First Team
Dec. 11: Associated Press All-Big 12 Team (source)
Offense
RB: Cameron Dickey, First Team
OL: Davion Carter, Second Team
Defense
DT: A.J. Holmes Jr., First Team
DT: Lee Hunter, First Team
DE: David Bailey, First Team (u)
DE: Romello Height, Second Team
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, First Team (u)
CB: Brice Pollock, First Team
Special Teams
K: Stone Harrington, First Team
AP Defensive Player of the Year: LB, Jacob Rodriguez
AP First-Year Transfer of the Year: DE, David Bailey
Dec. 11: USA TODAY Sports College Football All-America Team (source)
Defense
DE: David Bailey, First Team
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, First Team
DT: Lee Hunter, Second Team
Dec. 11: The Athletic: Freshman All-America Team (source)
Offense
OT: Jacob Ponton, First Team
The 6-8, 305-pound redshirt freshman has started all 13 games at right tackle for the Big 12 champions, who rank third nationally in scoring (42.5 ppg). Ponton allowed only four sacks on 483 pass-blocking snaps in the regular season, per Pro Football Focus (12/11/25).
Dec. 10: Sports Illustrated’s College Football All-Americans (source)
Defense
DL: David Bailey, First Team
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, First Team
DL: Lee Hunter, Second Team
Dec. 10: PFF All-Freshman Team (source)
Special Teams
Returner: Tristian Gentry
Dec. 10: PFF All-Big 12 Team (source)
Offense
LT: Howard Sampson
Defense
DI: A.J. Holmes Jr.
DI: Lee Hunter
EDGE: David Bailey
EDGE: Romello Height
LB: Jacob Rodriguez
FLEX: Brice Pollock
Special Teams
RS: J’Koby Williams
PFF Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year: LB Jacob Rodriguez
Rodriguez isn’t just the highest-graded defender in college football: He’s the highest-graded player in college football. Rodriguez’s 95.3 PFF run-defense grade and 93.0 PFF coverage grade also lead all defensive players, as do his seven forced fumbles. The former walk-on also paces all FBS linebackers with four interceptions, while his 65 defensive stops are tied for the most in the Power Four.
Dec. 10:Â CBS Sports' 2025 College Football All-America Team (source)
Defense
EDGE: David Bailey, First Team
DT: Lee Hunter, Second Team
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, First Team
Dec. 10: The Athletic’s 2025 postseason All-America Team (source)
Defense
DE: David Bailey, First Team
DT: Lee Hunter, First Team
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, First Team
Dec. 10: On3Â 2025Â All-America Team (source)
Defense
DE: David Bailey, First Team
DT: AJ. Holmes Jr., Second Team
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, First Team
Dec. 10: Lombardi Trophy (source)
Honors the nation’s top college linemen and linebackers who reflect Lombardi’s enduring principles of leadership, integrity, and perseverance
- Finalist: DE, David Bailey, Texas Tech
- Finalist: DE, Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
- Finalist: OL, Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- Finalist: LB, Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech – WON
Dec. 9: Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 2025 All-Texas College Football teams (source)
Offense
RB: Cameron Dickey, First TeamÂ
OL: Howard Sampson, First Team
UTL: J'Koby Williams, Second Team
Defense
DE: David Bailey, First Team
DT: Lee Hunter, First Team
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, First Team
CB: Brice Pollock, First Team
DE: Romello Height, Second Team
DCTF Defensive Player of the Year: LB, Jacob Rodriguez
DCTF Co-Coach of the Year: Joey McGuire
Dec. 9: Pony Express Award (source)
Honors college football’s most-outstanding teammate duo, regardless of position
- Finalists: QB Julian Sayin & WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
- Finalists: LB CJ Allen & LB Raylen Wilson, Georgia
- Finalists: RB Jeremiyah Love & RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
- Finalists: DE David Bailey & LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech – WON
Presented to the National Defensive Player of the Year
- Finalist: S, Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- Finalist: DE, Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
- Finalist: CB, Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
- Finalist: LB, Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech – WON
Dec. 8: Lott IMPACT Trophy (source)
Presented to the nation's top defensive college football player based on their performance and character
- Finalist: LB, CJ Allen, Georgia
- Finalist: DE, Rueben Bain, Miami
- Finalist: S, Caleb Downs, Ohio State – WON
- Finalist: LB, Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Texas Tech defeated BYU, 34-7, winning the Big 12 Championship Game; the MOP was honored during the trophy ceremony while offensive and defensive players of the game at the press conference
- Most Outstanding Player of the Game: LB, Ben Roberts
- Offensive Player of the Game: WR, Coy Eakin
- Defensive Player of the Game: LB, Jacob Rodriguez
Dec. 4: All-Big 12 Conference football teams and individual award winners (source)
Offense
RB: Cameron Dickey, Second Team
WR: Caleb Douglas, Second Team
TE: Terrance Carter Jr., Second Team
OL: Howard Sampson, Third Team
OL: Sheridan Wilson, Third Team
QB: Behren Morton, Honorable Mention
RB: J'Koby Williams, Honorable Mention
WR: Coy Eakin, Honorable Mention
WR: Reggie Virgil, Honorable Mention
OL: Davion Carter, Honorable Mention
OL: Jacob Ponton, Honorable Mention
Defense
DL: David Bailey, First Team
DL: Romello Height, First Team
DL: Lee Hunter, First Team
LB: Jacob Rodriguez, First Team
DB: Brice Pollock, First Team
DL: A.J. Holmes Jr., Third Team
LB: Ben Roberts, Third Team
DB: John Curry, Honorable Mention
DB: Cole Wisniewski, Honorable Mention
Special Teams
K: Stone Harrington, First Team
Returner: J'Koby Williams, Third Team
Specialist: Bryce Ramirez, Third Team
Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year: LB, Jacob Rodriguez
Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year: DE, David Bailey
Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year: DE, David Bailey
– TECH –