If you’ve been hanging around Raleigh lately, there is one name that basically dominates every conversation at Amedeo’s or out by the tailgates at Carter-Finley. CJ Bailey. Honestly, it’s rare to see a fanbase this unified. Usually, NC State fans are waiting for the other shoe to drop—that "NC State Stuff" we all know too well. But watching Bailey lead this offense? It feels different.
The kid is a giant. 6-foot-6. He looks more like a small forward than a traditional signal-caller, yet he moves with this weird, fluid grace that makes defenders look silly. You've probably seen the stats by now. In 2025, he wasn't just "good for a sophomore." He was statistically one of the best in the ACC. He threw for over 3,100 yards and 25 touchdowns. That's not a fluke.
The Rise of CJ Bailey: From Backup to The Man
Nobody expected this to happen so fast. Remember the 2024 season? The plan was simple: let the veteran Grayson McCall bridge the gap while the young guys learned the ropes. Football, however, is a brutal business. McCall’s career ended abruptly due to concussions, and suddenly, Dave Doeren had to look at a true freshman from Miami and say, "You're up."
Bailey didn't just survive; he thrived. Most freshmen crumble when they get sacked six times in a game like he did against Cal. Instead, he led a 13-point fourth-quarter comeback. That was the moment most of us realized the NC State football qb spot was in good hands for a long time.
He’s added about 20 pounds of muscle since he first stepped on campus. You can see it when he stands in the pocket now. He doesn't get rattled. Even in that ugly loss to Miami in late 2025 where he threw two early picks, he didn't fold. He kept slinging it. That’s the kind of mental toughness you can’t coach.
🔗 Read more: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
Why the 2026 Season Could Be Historic
The news that Bailey is officially returning for his junior year in 2026 changed the entire trajectory of the program. Usually, when a kid puts up numbers like he did, you start worrying about the transfer portal or the NFL. But he’s stayed. He’s locked in.
What makes him special?
- The Deep Ball: He has arguably the prettiest deep ball in the conference. Just ask Noah Rogers, who’s been on the receiving end of those 75-yard bombs.
- The Legs: He’s not a "run-first" guy, but he’s efficient. He scored 6 rushing touchdowns in 2025.
- The IQ: He’s a coach’s son. His dad, Walt, is a high school head coach, and you can see that reflected in how CJ reads defenses.
The school record for passing yards in a season is still held by Philip Rivers (4,491 in 2003). While that’s a mountain to climb, Bailey’s 3,105-yard sophomore campaign puts him on a path to at least challenge the upper echelons of the record books. He’s already passed names like Russell Wilson in freshman efficiency marks. That’s elite company.
The Depth Chart: Who Is Behind Him?
Every team is one play away from disaster. We saw that with McCall. Behind Bailey, the room looks a bit different heading into 2026. Will Wilson is the name to watch. He’s a powerhouse—the kind of athlete who squats over 600 pounds. When he comes in for "heavy" packages, he’s almost impossible to stop on short-yardage plays.
💡 You might also like: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Then there’s the freshman, Jacob Smith, coming in from Winston-Salem. He’s the local kid with a lot of hype. While he likely won't see the field much with Bailey healthy, having that kind of talent in the pipeline is exactly how Dave Doeren has built this program into a consistent winner.
The Wolfpack did lose some depth recently, though. Lex Thomas was a name many expected to stick around, but the reality of the modern era is that if you aren't starting, you're often looking elsewhere. It’s sort of just how the game works now.
What Fans Get Wrong About the Offense
There’s this common complaint that NC State is too conservative. "Too much running, not enough taking shots." Well, look at the numbers. In 2025, Bailey averaged 7.8 yards per attempt. That’s not "safe" football. That’s aggressive.
The coaching staff, led by Robert Roper, has actually opened things up quite a bit. They use the tight ends—guys like Justin Joly—to create mismatches that allow Bailey to find those windows. If you think this is still the "three yards and a cloud of dust" offense from ten years ago, you haven't been watching.
📖 Related: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
The Grayson McCall Legacy
It’s worth mentioning that even though Grayson McCall’s time on the field in Raleigh was short, his impact is still being felt. He stayed on as an analyst before heading back to Coastal Carolina to coach. He was basically a second quarterbacks coach for Bailey during that 2024 transition. You can see McCall’s influence in the way Bailey manipulates safeties with his eyes. It’s a veteran move from a young player.
What’s the Ceiling?
So, can NC State actually win the ACC with CJ Bailey? Honestly, yeah. They finished 2025 with a 7-5 record, which felt like a bit of a letdown given how well the offense played at times. But look at the losses. They were physical games where the offensive line struggled.
The focus this offseason has been entirely on the trenches. If the Pack can protect Bailey, he has the weapons out wide to outscore anyone. They beat UNC 42-19 to end the 2025 season. That was a statement. They dominated a Bill Belichick-led Tar Heel team, and it wasn't even as close as the score looked.
Key areas for improvement in 2026:
- Consistency in the Red Zone: There were too many field goals in 2025. They need to turn those into six points.
- Pass Protection: Bailey was hit too often. He’s tough, but no one stays healthy taking those kinds of shots all year.
- Third Down Conversions: Moving the chains on 3rd-and-medium needs to become automatic.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following the NC State football qb situation, here is what you need to do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Spring Game: This is where we’ll see if the chemistry with the new transfer portal receivers is clicking.
- Monitor the O-Line Transfers: Keep an eye on who the staff brings in to protect Bailey. The program has been aggressive in the portal this January for a reason.
- Look at the 2026 Schedule: With nine conference opponents on deck, the path to Charlotte for the ACC Championship is tougher than ever. The early games will tell us if this team has the "it" factor.
The 2026 season is going to be the "CJ Bailey Show." For a program that has seen legends like Rivers and Wilson pass through, the expectations are sky-high. But if anyone can handle the pressure, it's the kid from Miami who’s already seen it all.