Dave Doeren opened NC State’s 2026 ACC Kickoff with a long, winding statement that stretched about six minutes and covered plenty of ground before he finally handed things over to the media.
He even joked at the start, “You guys are going to be really sad that you give me a microphone (smiling).”
Then came another line that set the tone for the rest of the opening remarks: “Four score and 14 years ago I got hired here (laughter).”
Doeren moved through a mix of topics in that opening stretch, even working in a reference to the Carolina Hurricanes, before the questions began.
The first one produced the day’s sharpest exchange. A reporter asked about NC State’s finish last season, the team’s late surge, Doeren’s comments about not wanting to finish second anymore, and what it would take to win an ACC title and reach 10 wins.
Doeren’s response was simple: “What’s the question?”
That moment stood out, and so did Doeren’s reaction to the long, meandering setup that preceded it.
CJ Bailey’s decision to stay at NC State instead of transferring elsewhere also came up often. The reasoning is clear: the system matters, and so does the continuity.
His aim is to be in the NFL next year, and staying in Raleigh keeps the same structure around him, where he already feels comfortable. That gives him a strong chance to keep developing and put himself in a good spot for next April.
In the end, a little more money to play somewhere else in 2026 wasn’t enough to pull him away, because he was looking at the bigger picture.
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CJ Bailey Just Made NC States Receiver Situation A Lot More Interesting
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Among the newcomers, Jojo Trader stands out for more than just his talent. The Miami transfer is a former high school teammate of Baileys, and the two already have the kind of built-in trust that can matter when a quarterback is trying to sort through a new set of targets. Bailey made it clear he wants Trader to feel supported and believes he can make a real impact, which only adds to the sense that this receiver competition could shape a lot of what the Wolfpack offense becomes. [Read more 🡒]
NC State Fans Are About To Get A Huge Gunner Rivers Preview
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For NC State, it is the kind of early preview that matters with a quarterback commitment this highly regarded. Rivers is viewed as one of the best passers in the 2027 class, and the opener should offer a first real measuring stick against a quality opponent in Battle Ground Academy. The setting only adds to the intrigue, with ESPN carrying the game and giving Wolfpack fans a clear chance to track how their future quarterback handles a stage built for big-time recruits. [Read more 🡒]