Texas Tech announced it has become the first program in sports history to produce the No. 2 overall pick in both the NFL and AUSL drafts during the same calendar year.
The Red Raiders achieved this milestone through David Bailey and NiJaree Canady, who were both selected second overall in their respective professional drafts.
Texas Tech is the first school in sports history to have the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL and AUSL drafts in the same year.
— Nathan Giese (@NathanGiese) May 4, 2026
The New York Jets selected Bailey, a defensive end, with the second pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He became the highest-drafted defensive player in Texas Tech history.
Bailey set a franchise record for the Jets as their highest-drafted defensive player ever.
During his 2025 season at Texas Tech, Bailey appeared in all 14 games. He recorded 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks.
The selection marked the 10th first-round pick in program history and the second under head coach Joey McGuire. Only Dave Parks, who went No. 1 overall in 1964, was drafted higher in school history.
Canady, a pitcher for Texas Tech’s softball team, was selected No. 2 overall by the Texas Volts in the AUSL College Draft. Her selection came just weeks after Bailey’s draft position.
She’s a two-time NFCA Pitcher of the Year.
Canady helped lead the Red Raiders to their first-ever Women’s College World Series championship appearance in 2025.
Texas Tech has built a strong reputation for developing offensive talent, particularly after Patrick Mahomes’ success in the NFL. The program is now expanding that reputation across multiple sports.
The dual No. 2 selections boost Texas Tech’s profile as a destination for elite athletes and strengthen its recruiting efforts across different programs.
