Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey spent the 2025 college football season climbing NFL Draft boards. His 14.5-sack campaign and an official 4.5-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 Scouting Combine established him as a top prospect. However, as the draft approaches, front offices are scrutinizing a post-game altercation that has brought character concerns to the forefront of his evaluation.
Dane Brugler writes in his assessment of Bailey, “Involved in an alleged physical altercation with a photographer after Arizona State game in 2025 (photographer filed a police report, but no charges were filed against Bailey).” Brugler noted that scouts want to see “more consistent energy levels” from the edge rusher.
David Bailey’s Sideline Altercation in Tempe Comes to Light
The incident occurred last October following a 26-22 Texas Tech loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils. As the Red Raiders walked off the field at Mountain America Stadium, Bailey was involved in a physical altercation with photojournalist Mark Rebilas.
According to accounts from the field, Rebilas was photographing the Texas Tech players as they exited. Bailey took issue with being photographed, telling Rebilas, “Don’t take my f***ing picture,” before grabbing the photojournalist by the shoulders and neck. Rebilas stated on Instagram that “the star player on the losing team took issue with me doing my job and thought he needed to put his hands on me.”
The altercation required staff and players to intervene to separate Bailey from the media member. Rebilas filed a police report following the game, though no legal charges were pursued against the edge rusher.
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Bailey released a statement regarding the incident:
“I apologize to the photographer and the fans. That’s not who I am as a person. My emotions got the best of me in the moment after a tough loss. I will use this opportunity to learn and get better. I consider the matter resolved.”
While Bailey may consider the matter resolved, NFL front offices are evaluating the incident. Physical contact with a credentialed media member is a red flag that triggers review by league security and team executives.
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NFL general managers are assessing whether the Rebilas incident is an isolated emotional outburst or part of a larger pattern of behavior. Evaluators have pointed back to Bailey’s tenure at Stanford, specifically an incident where he was ejected from a game against NC State for stomping on an opposing player’s head.
The combination of an in-game ejection for a flagrant foul and the post-game physical altercation with a photographer has forced teams to weigh Bailey’s physical tools, including his 14.5 sacks and All-American honors, against these documented conduct issues.
