NC State quarterback CJ Bailey has picked up another notable nod as the 2026 season approaches, this time from a familiar face in Carolina football circles.
Cam Newton, the former NFL MVP and Heisman Trophy winner, recently named Bailey No. 4 on his list of the top quarterbacks in college football. For Bailey, it’s another sign that his profile is rising well beyond Raleigh after two seasons of steady growth with the Wolfpack.
Newton’s opinion carries obvious weight. He’s one of the most electric quarterbacks the game has seen, and his recognition of Bailey suggests the NC State signal-caller is no longer flying under the national radar. What Wolfpack fans have watched develop locally is now drawing attention on a bigger stage.
Bailey has earned that momentum with the way he’s played since taking over as NC State’s starter. His poise, arm strength, decision-making and ability to extend plays have made him one of the ACC’s top quarterbacks, and there’s already talk that 2026 could be the year he pushes himself into the Heisman conversation.
NC State is heading into the season with hopes of being part of the ACC race, and Bailey sits at the center of that plan. If his rise continues, this kind of preseason praise may only be the beginning.
Here is what Cam Newton said in its entirety:
Cam Newton: Nobody’s talking about C.J. Bailey at North Carolina State.
C.J. Bailey was Jeremiah Smith’s high school quarterback.
That was a really good high school football player.
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