Bailey was born on Aug. 28, 2003, in Orange, California, and grew up in a family shaped by two immigrant parents who stressed discipline, academics and consistent effort. That foundation, built at home, helped drive Bailey to excel on and off the field from a young age.
His father, Anthony Bailey, emigrated from Jamaica and built a professional career in the United States as a biochemist before retiring, a background that underscored the importance of precision and study in the Bailey household. Anthony and his wife also prioritized education, with Bailey eventually earning a degree from Stanford before transferring to Texas Tech for his final college season.
Monica Bailey, Bailey’s mother, hails from Ghana, adding another immigrant perspective to the family narrative. The couple raised four children—David and his siblings—instilling a strong work ethic and a quiet privacy that has followed the family through Bailey’s rise to NFL prominence.
David Bailey’s path included an elite high school stop at Mater Dei in Santa Ana, a program known for producing top talent and NFL-caliber players. He played there as a four-star recruit, helped lead the Monarchs to a perfect season and high national ranking, and carried forward an academic-minded approach, including an expressed interest in studying economics.
Across four college seasons (three at Stanford, one at Texas Tech), Bailey amassed 163 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 29 sacks and 10 forced fumbles. His senior year at Texas Tech was historic, with 14.5 sacks (the FBS lead) and 19.5 tackles for loss, complemented by unanimous All-American recognition and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds and posted a 35-inch vertical, drawing early comparisons to a recent Defensive Rookie of the Year.
