CJ Bailey Joins NC State Royalty with 3,000-Yard Season in Gasparilla Bowl Rout
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State closed out its season with a statement, steamrolling Memphis 31-7 in the Gasparilla Bowl and securing the program’s first bowl win since 2017. But beyond the scoreboard, this game may be remembered as the night sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey officially etched his name into Wolfpack history.
With 221 passing yards in the win, Bailey became just the seventh quarterback in NC State history to eclipse 3,000 yards in a single season - and notably, the first to do it as a sophomore. That’s rare air, and he did it on a big stage, back in his home state of Florida no less.
The milestone capped off a breakout year for Bailey, who showed flashes of potential as a freshman but took a major leap in Year 2. He wasn’t just productive - he was poised, efficient, and in command.
The Gasparilla Bowl was a microcosm of that growth. Bailey connected on explosive plays, including long touchdowns to Teddy Hoffmann and Wesley Grimes, helping NC State build a commanding first-half lead and never look back.
Bailey’s season wasn’t built on one or two highlight games. He was consistent week to week, with standout performances against ECU and Georgia Tech that helped anchor his 3,000-yard campaign. That kind of steady production is what separates good quarterbacks from great ones - and it’s what’s earned Bailey a spot alongside some of the best to ever wear the red and white.
That list includes names like Philip Rivers, Russell Wilson, Mike Glennon, Ryan Finley, Devin Leary, and Jamie Barnette - all quarterbacks who left their mark on the program, with most going on to NFL careers. Bailey now joins that elite company and currently sits ninth on NC State’s all-time single-season passing yards list. He’s just behind Barnette (3,169) and Finley (3,105), and given the trajectory he’s on, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him climb even higher in the coming years.
It’s a remarkable jump from where he was just a season ago. As a freshman, Bailey was thrust into action after an injury to Grayson McCall and still managed to throw for 2,413 yards in 12 games.
This year, with a full offseason to prepare and the starting job firmly in his hands, he looked like a different quarterback. His decision-making was sharper.
His accuracy tightened up. And perhaps most importantly, he showed the ability to spread the ball around and keep defenses honest, which helped NC State’s offense find a rhythm and sustain drives more consistently.
Bailey’s development has been one of the biggest storylines for NC State this season - and a major reason why the team finished 8-4. His growth under center gave the Wolfpack the kind of offensive stability they’ve been searching for in recent years.
Now, with the transfer portal window looming in January, the focus shifts to Bailey’s future. NC State fans are hoping he stays in Raleigh and continues building on what’s already been an impressive start to his college career. Whether he returns or not, one thing is clear: CJ Bailey has arrived, and his name now sits among the best to ever play quarterback for the Wolfpack.