LUBBOCK, Texas — I’ve the deal of a lifetime for you. Give me a name, bro.
Minutes after David Bailey entered the switch portal March 28, Texas Tech normal supervisor James Blanchard despatched him that textual content message. The cross rusher from Stanford did not reply. He wasn’t answering calls, both.
Blanchard reached out to Bailey’s agent, who knowledgeable him that the coveted switch was leaning towards going to UCLA. However Blanchard wasn’t giving up that simply. That evening, he tried interesting to Bailey with yet another textual content.
David, give me 120 seconds to have a convo with you. In case you’re not after that, I am going to go away you alone.
Bailey remembers he was hanging out at a buddy’s home on a Friday evening, again house after just lately graduating from Stanford. He took the cellphone name out of curiosity. Bailey had been on the high of Blanchard’s record of edge rusher targets in December, and the GM was prepared to pay no matter he needed.
Texas Tech wasn’t simply speaking about going to $2 million. They have been in the end prepared to make him the highest-paid defensive participant in faculty soccer with a deal exceeding $3 million in compensation, sources accustomed to the negotiation informed ESPN. It is attainable no defender in faculty soccer has earned extra within the NIL period.
“I took that decision,” Bailey stated, “and, yeah, all the pieces modified for me.”
Inside two days, Bailey was on Texas Tech’s campus for a go to. He nonetheless went on journeys to Texas and UCLA, attempting to assemble as a lot data as he might forward of a life-changing resolution. However in the long run, the Pink Raiders made a proposal he could not refuse.
And identical to that, Texas Tech has constructed what it believed to be one of the best defensive position in faculty soccer. Bailey and Romello Peak (Georgia Tech) bringing nonstop stress off the sting. Lee Hunter (UCF), Skyler Gill-Howard (Northern Illinois) and A.J. Holmes Jr. (Houston) wreaking havoc inside. 5 hand-picked gamers out of the portal who might remodel not simply their entrance however their total protection.
Blanchard knew it when he first spoke with Bailey. “I am telling you that is going to be the result,” he remembers saying. Bailey requested what made him so sure.
“The Huge 12 is not outfitted to take care of this,” Blanchard stated.
The Pink Raiders invested greater than $7 million to safe these newcomers alongside the defensive position. They have been value each penny for a program chasing its first Huge 12 title and now ranks No. 8 within the School Soccer Playoff rankings forward of Saturday’s sport with unbeaten BYU (12 p.m. ET, ABC).
Bailey is the nationwide sack chief with 11.5 and properly on his technique to turning into a first-round choose. He and Peak, whom Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire lovingly refers to each as “Velociraptors,” are two of probably the most damaging cross rushers within the sport. Hunter, their star defensive deal with, is having fun with a career-best yr. The Pink Raiders have generated an FBS-high 175 pressures by 9 video games and wanted simply seven video games to surpass their 2024 season sack complete.
Now, BYU and “School GameDay” come to city within the Pink Raiders’ most anticipated and consequential house sport since they shocked Texas in 2008. Texas Tech assembled probably the most proficient defensive position this program has seen — and spent all these hundreds of thousands — for moments like these.
“Ever since we walked within the constructing, I informed Lee, ‘Man, this workforce goes to be particular. We will go a great distance. This workforce goes to go far,'” Peak stated. “Lee was like, ‘We will see.’ However now all of us see.”
ROMELLO HEIGHT DOESN’T hesitate to clarify why he picked Texas Tech final December.
“I am not shy to inform you about this NIL,” he stated. “It is all around the web now.”
Peak stated he made $250,000 final yr at Georgia Tech. His agent was searching for a increase to $500,000 forward of Peak’s senior season, a quantity he felt was honest market worth, however was rebuffed. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound exterior linebacker had an excellent yr for the Yellow Jackets after transferring from USC, totalling a team-high 29 pressures off the sting, however completed with solely 2.5 sacks. Peak insists he wasn’t seeking to go away.
“They have been like, ‘Nah, we overpaid him already,'” Peak stated. “So, my agent was like, ‘All proper, we’ll go get overpaid elsewhere.'”
Peak was a giant precedence for Blanchard. He had watched tape of fifty different defensive ends and outdoors linebackers, and felt strongly that Peak had all of the traits he was on the lookout for as the highest cross rusher obtainable within the December portal interval. Blanchard wasn’t involved in regards to the lack of sack manufacturing. The way in which he sees it, sacks are 1% of the equation, and Peak does the opposite 99% of his job at a excessive stage, constantly forcing QBs to maneuver off their spot.
“Folks have been attempting to say it was different guys, however Romello was one of the best one,” Blanchard stated. “Y’all do not know what y’all are taking a look at.”
His worth in Texas Tech’s estimation: $1.5 million.
“Tremendous jaw-dropping,” Peak stated.
The Pink Raiders made the choice even simpler for Peak after they signed Hunter. The 2 have been shut mates from enjoying collectively at Auburn in 2021 and desperate to reunite.
Hunter, the huge 6-foot-4, 330-pound defensive deal with from UCF whom teammates nicknamed “The Fridge,” entered the portal after coach Guz Malzahn left to turn out to be the OC at Florida State. Hunter had lots of loyalty to Malzahn, who had recruited him since he was a highschool freshman, and felt prepared for a contemporary begin.
He lined up visits to Texas Tech adopted by Texas, however dedicated throughout his journey to Lubbock. Whereas he felt at house on the go to, he credit his mom for encouraging his resolution. He stated she has all the time been good at studying folks and their “vitality and vibe,” and he or she was completely received over by the heat and authenticity of McGuire.
“When your mama retains telling you one thing, you bought to go along with it, you already know?” Hunter stated. “Most likely the most effective choices I ever made in my life.”
The subsequent morning, Hunter and Blanchard have been at breakfast, and Texas saved calling.
“He stated, ‘Don’t be concerned, Blanch, I gave my phrase, we good,'” Blanchard stated.
Hunter flew to DFW Worldwide Airport on his manner house to Cellular, Alabama. He stated Longhorn coaches have been ready for him on the airport, in a last-ditch effort to get him on a flight to Austin.
“Me and my mother did not have a lot time to speak as a result of we had like 10 minutes to get to the following gate,” Hunter stated. “We saved strolling. I received on a airplane and went to Alabama and got here again a Pink Raider.”
Texas Tech paired him with two extra key defensive tackles in Gill-Howard from Northern Illinois and Holmes from Houston. Many coaches have been hesitant to pursue Gill-Howard based mostly on his dimension (he was listed at 6-foot-1 and 285 kilos), lack of beginning expertise and issues he won’t carry out on the Energy 4 stage.
Blanchard had stumbled upon him throughout the scouting course of and trusted what he noticed on tape, a disruptive participant on a top-25 protection who performed properly in opposition to Notre Dame. He felt comfy taking an opportunity on Holmes, a 16-game starter who had simply performed for brand new Pink Raiders defensive coordinator Shiel Wooden at Houston. Wooden believed he hadn’t come near reaching his ceiling.
All 4 of these strikes may’ve been greater than sufficient for Texas Tech because it aspired to construct the highest portal recruiting class in faculty soccer. However then, in the course of spring follow, Bailey hit the portal after Stanford fired coach Troy Taylor.
It wasn’t arduous for Blanchard to promote him to Wooden. The defensive coordinator stated Bailey was a “two-clipper.”
“You watch two clips and say, ‘Yeah, I like him. Completely,'” Wooden stated with amusing. “I used to be like, ‘If there is a chance of getting this man to return right here and y’all assume you can also make that occur, please achieve this. We’ll discover a spot for him to play.'”
Peak was a giant fan of that concept, too. McGuire wanted a little bit extra convincing.
“We’re midway by the spring, and Romello is simply unblockable,” McGuire stated. “I’m going, ‘You are telling me he is higher than him?'”
As they watched Bailey’s Stanford movie collectively, McGuire knew he was a “no-brainer” analysis identical to Peak and Hunter. However did Tech really want him? Blanchard saved speaking him up and explaining how they may get Bailey enrolled instantly for spring follow. Then, Blanchard introduced up the defending Tremendous Bowl champs.
“What would the Eagles do? They’d take one other defensive lineman.”
Bailey arrived in Lubbock in time to undergo the Pink Raiders’ last spring practices. As he watched Peak, Hunter and Gill-Howard compete in one-on-ones, Bailey was blown away.
“I’ve by no means seen a D-line like this,” he stated. “I’ve seen some high-caliber talent gamers. However a D-line like this? That is completely different.”
BAILEY CAME TO Texas Tech to lastly win some soccer video games.
He hasn’t seen something near this, enduring three consecutive 3-9 seasons at Stanford. He was underutilized final yr, enjoying 20 to 30 snaps a sport and particular groups for a lot of the season. What he sought most within the portal — greater than the cash — was a workforce that will play as a lot as attainable.
“I am enjoying free and I am enjoying quick,” he stated, “as a result of I do know I received guys round me.”
Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech’s All-America senior linebacker, retains coming again to the phrase “unreal” as he makes an attempt to explain what the Pink Raiders have put collectively on protection.
“I’ve by no means performed soccer like this,” Rodriguez stated. “It is all 11 folks on the sphere flying round and doing their job and executing at a excessive stage. It makes soccer so easy and really easy. I’ve by no means had this a lot enjoyable enjoying soccer ever.”
It wasn’t enjoyable for Texas Tech’s offense in practices this offseason.
Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich stated there have been just a few days when his unit could not get a primary down. After Texas Tech’s second spring scrimmage, he overheard deal with Howard Sampson lamenting to Blanchard, “Man, I do not know, we’ll suck on offense.” McGuire reminded a annoyed Clay McGuire, Tech’s offensive line coach, that it wasn’t a good struggle for the No. 2 offensive line in follow as a result of Texas Tech’s No. 2 defensive position was made up of final yr’s starters.
“Mello and David have been operating so quick across the edge, beating the deal with so unhealthy, that they have been operating into one another earlier than they hit the quarterback,” Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton stated.
“I am telling him to decelerate, bro!” Peak stated with amusing. “It takes me three seconds. It takes him 1½ seconds.”
Any issues about how these extremely paid free brokers is likely to be welcomed by this new workforce have been squashed from the beginning. Morton stated the newcomers did not act like mercenaries “simply attempting to get cash.” They match proper in much better than most would count on within the more and more transactional portal period.
“They’ve related so properly with this workforce that it actually does really feel like Lee Hunter and Romello Peak have been right here their total profession,” McGuire stated. “I hope they really feel that manner, that they really feel at house.”
McGuire and Blanchard did their homework on these transfers, calling their former coaches to seek out out all the pieces they wanted to know. The method of figuring out the best gamers for Texas Tech went far past the tape and included enter from a sports activities analytics agency — in addition to from the parents chopping the checks.
Blanchard saved billionaire boosters Cody Campbell and John Sellers concerned within the portal course of from begin to end, getting collectively for numerous conferences and videoconference periods the place they’d watch movie and talk about targets and what it could price to go get them. Campbell would even queue up movie on his pill to interrupt down at house.
“That was lots of enjoyable, to be sincere with you,” Campbell stated.
Campbell, Texas Tech’s board chairman, was a beginning offensive lineman for the Pink Raiders throughout his enjoying days and tends to maintain his eyes affixed on the road of scrimmage throughout video games. As thrilling because it was to piece collectively a extremely touted portal class, Campbell’s goal from the beginning was profitable within the trenches.
As soon as Bailey was on board, Campbell was assured they’d assembled one of the best defensive position in Texas Tech historical past. That is what he is seeing each Saturday.
“They did not miss on anyone,” Campbell stated. “It helps lots with maintaining donors joyful every time they see that return on funding.”
Blanchard has a concept about guys reminiscent of Bailey and Hunter and why they’ve confirmed to be ideally suited matches, one thing he picked up as a scout with the Carolina Panthers in 2020: He likes one of the best gamers on shedding groups.
All they’ve ever completed throughout their careers is go above and past to assist make up for the expertise round them. They’re used to having to pressure, sacrifice and do extra for his or her workforce to be aggressive.
“Let’s put them in an atmosphere the place now they have dudes round them,” Blanchard stated, “and let’s examine what occurs.”
Because the Pink Raiders made their manner by the tunnel into Jones AT&T Stadium to a sold-out crowd for a Saturday evening kickoff in opposition to Kansas earlier this season, Hunter ran beside Peak and set free a roar.
“I appeared up,” Hunter remembers, “and I stated, ‘That is what the f— we signed up for!'”
IT’S A RACE to the quarterback each time Texas Tech’s defensive position will get a possibility to hurry the passer.
“No one’s taking a look at one another,” Peak stated. “We’re wanting on the ball. It is time to go get it. It is cash time.”
Towards Kansas State on Saturday, Bailey burst previous the Wildcats’ proper deal with on a 3rd down and crashed into quarterback Avery Johnson inside 2.2 seconds. Within the fourth quarter, Peak hunted him down from behind for a sack and compelled fumble that Tech linebacker John Curry scooped up for a rating.
After an extended afternoon of arduous hits, scrambles and incompletions in a 43-20 defeat, Johnson was requested if Texas Tech’s D-line was nearly as good as marketed.
“Uh, yeah, I’d say so,” Johnson stated. “That is most likely one of the best protection I’ve confronted in my three years in faculty.”
Texas Tech has constructed a top-five scoring protection due to an amazing quantity of stress up entrance.
The Pink Raiders have generated 175 cross rush pressures this season, in response to ESPN Analysis, regardless of blitzing solely 20% of the time. Bailey (46) and Peak (37) rank first and third, respectively, in edge pressures this season, and Holmes ranks fourth in defensive deal with pressures (18) since stepping in for Gill-Howard, who’s sidelined after present process surgical procedure for an ankle damage final month. Collectively, they’ve already damaged Texas Tech’s single-game report with 9 sacks in opposition to Kansas.
“It is a great benefit when you will get stress with 4, and that is what we’re capable of do,” Wooden stated. “We’re capable of have an effect on the quarterback with dashing 4 guys on first, second and third down. It adjustments the complexion of the sport when you are able to do that.”
From Day 1, although, Wooden preached to his gamers that they needed to earn the best to hurry the passer. In the event that they needed to be a championship protection, he stated, they needed to cease the run. The Pink Raiders have the No. 1 run protection within the nation, holding six of 9 opponents beneath 100 dashing yards, and have an FBS-high 16 compelled fumbles.
However ask anybody in this system why they’re elite in opposition to the run and so they level to Hunter. He is doing the soiled work, taking up two or three linemen and creating clear gaps and straightforward performs for Rodriguez and the linebackers.
“I do know I will get two,” Hunter stated. “If two individuals are on me, my linebackers can eat. My brothers can eat. So long as all people round me is consuming and we’re profitable, I am joyful.”
One other crucial byproduct of the dominance up entrance: Texas Tech has probably the most improved cross protection within the nation, permitting 111 fewer passing yards per sport than a yr in the past. Tie all of it collectively, like Wooden has with sharp in-game changes and quite a lot of artistic alignments, and also you get a protection that makes game-changing performs and has helped create 88 factors off turnovers.
“It isn’t simple to get one thing constructed and up and operating at a excessive stage in 12 months 1,” Wooden stated, “We’re sitting right here due to the nice effort that our gamers have put in.”
Blanchard knew if he received the best gamers up entrance, Tech might overwhelm its convention foes. Over the previous decade, the Huge 12 has produced two offensive linemen chosen within the first spherical of the NFL draft. Each got here from Oklahoma, now within the SEC. The primary huge take a look at got here within the Huge 12 opener at Utah, in opposition to two potential first-round tackles in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu and an offensive line that Utah’s Kyle Whittingham known as one of the best he has ever coached.
“That week, all people was hyping us up, saying, ‘Y’all are going to kill them,'” Peak stated. “I did not hear David say a phrase about killing them that entire week. I dang certain did not say a phrase about killing them. We’ve got a humble mindset going into each sport, realizing we simply received to do our job.”
The outcomes? Texas Tech’s protection received 19 pressures and compelled six three-and-outs and 4 turnovers in a 34-10 rout.
“I by no means would’ve believed it when you would’ve stated we might lose the road of scrimmage,” Whittingham stated afterward. “By no means would’ve believed that in 1,000,000 years. However we did.”
Bailey is performing like a first-rounder and is the No. 12 choose in Jordan Reid’s newest 2026 mock draft. Hunter is Mel Kiper’s third-ranked defensive deal with prospect, and Peak is his No. 5 exterior linebacker. All three have considerably boosted their draft standing at Texas Tech. And that proof of idea is making it even simpler for Blanchard to assemble subsequent yr’s defensive position.
Texas Tech has landed commitments from LaDamion Guyton, ESPN’s No. 1 exterior linebacker within the 2026 class, and top-ranked 2027 defensive deal with Jalen Brewster. And thru his every day conversations with brokers, Blanchard already is aware of which potential transfers he desires for 2026.
“We are saying it on a regular basis now,” McGuire stated. “I used to be actually simply saying to him, ‘Blanch, simply go get the D-linemen and O-linemen.'”
Texas Tech’s protection was a punchline within the Huge 12, the second worst amongst all Energy 5 applications in scoring protection over the previous decade. Not anymore. The Pink Raiders will hold spending and hold bringing blue-chip huge males to Lubbock. That is what it takes to cope with one of the best and do what has by no means been completed in program historical past.
“We informed Joey to spend what it takes,” Campbell stated. “We have been prepared to do it to be on this place we’re in now.
“We received our cash’s value.”