Why is Patrick Mahomes’ alma mater suddenly at the heart of draft history?

Patrick Mahomes

Why is Patrick Mahomes’ alma mater suddenly at the heart of draft history? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Texas Tech has been heavily lauded for developing offensive stars like Patrick Mahomes. However, the program is now also building a reputation for record-setting draft success across multiple sports.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders have made history as the first program ever to produce the No. 2 overall pick in both the NFL and AUSL (American Ultimate Soccer League) drafts in the same calendar year.

The New York Jets selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Bailey became the highest-drafted defensive player in school history, marking the 10th first-round selection ever from Texas Tech and the second under head coach Joey McGuire. He trails only Dave Parks in program draft history, who went No. 1 overall in 1964.

Bailey also set a franchise mark for the Jets as their highest-drafted defensive player. During his lone 2025 season at Texas Tech, he played all 14 games and posted 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks.

Meanwhile, the player who made history alongside Bailey is NiJaree Canady, a superstar pitcher for Texas Tech's softball team. She was chosen No. 2 overall by the Texas Volts in the AUSL College Draft, coming just weeks after Bailey’s selection. She is a two-time NFCA Pitcher of the Year and helped lead Texas Tech to its first-ever Women's College World Series championship appearance in 2025.