As we gear up for another thrilling college football season, the buzz is palpable, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. At NC State, all eyes are on CJ Bailey, who’s poised to make a significant impact as he steps into his third year as a starter.
Ranked as the ACC's No. 2 quarterback by CBS Sports, Bailey trails only Miami's Darian Mensah. Since stepping in for the injured Grayson McCall back in 2024, Bailey has emerged as a standout talent for the Wolfpack.
Last season, at just 19, he racked up 3,310 yards and 31 touchdowns. Now, as a junior, Bailey is primed to elevate his game even further, which could spell trouble for the rest of the ACC.
However, Bailey still has something to prove against top-tier opponents. Eight of his nine interceptions last year came against heavyweights like Duke, Notre Dame, and Miami. This season, showing he can perform under pressure against these formidable foes will be key.
Coach Dave Doeren is full of praise for Bailey, emphasizing the advantage of having a seasoned quarterback at the helm. "How many teams can say they have a third-year starter?
Not many," Doeren noted. The stability Bailey provides allows the team to focus on refining their play rather than building from scratch.
His leadership and familiarity with the team are invaluable assets.
Bailey's journey has been impressive. As a freshman in 2024, he played in 11 games, starting nine, and completed 65% of his passes-setting a program record for a freshman.
He threw for 2,413 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for 279 yards and five scores. Last season, his 3,105 passing yards and 25 touchdowns ranked him among the best in NC State history, with a completion rate of 69%.
Before making his mark at NC State, Bailey led Chaminade-Madonna to three consecutive state championships, amassing 9,005 passing yards, 116 touchdowns, and 674 rushing yards in high school.
As Bailey leads the charge against teams like Miami, Louisville, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, and Georgia Tech, fans are eager to see how this young star continues to develop and drive the Wolfpack forward.