Levelle Bailey

Early life

Bailey was born on December 4, 2000, in Sacramento, California to Lester Bailey and Diana Tapa. He attended Luther Burbank High School where he was a top football and basketball athlete, being a first-team All-City selection in each sport. As a senior in football, he was chosen second-team all-state after totaling 81 tackles and 7.0 tackles-for-loss (TFLs). After his high school career, he was invited to the Optimist All-Star Classic game where he blocked two kicks. He committed to play college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs.

College career

As a true freshman at Fresno State in 2019, Bailey started five games and recorded 30 tackles and six TFLs. He started five games again in 2020, posting 21 tackles while being named honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference (MWC). In 2021, he started 12 games and was third on the team with 56 tackles, adding 8.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and six pass breakups, repeating as an honorable mention All-MWC pick. The following season, he started all 14 games and was the Bulldogs leader with 88 tackles, earning his third honorable mention All-MWC selection.

In his final year, 2023, Bailey served as a team captain. He recorded 82 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five TFLs and three interceptions while being named second-team All-MWC. He led the Bulldogs to a win in the 2023 New Mexico Bowl and was named the game's defensive MVP. He received invites to the Hula Bowl and East–West Shrine Bowl at the conclusion of his collegiate career. Bailey finished his stint at Fresno State having played in 58 games, tallying 277 tackles, 25.5 TFLs, seven sacks and six interceptions.

Personal life

Bailey's father, Lester, is African-American and Bailey's mother, Diana, is from Tonga. He has six older siblings.

In college, Bailey majored in kinesiology.