When 2024 three-star quarterback C.J. Bailey stepped foot on campus for the NC State Wolfpack again within the offseason, it appeared like there was a transparent development plan for the freshman.
The Wolfpack had landed skilled Coastal Carolina switch Grayson McCall to paved the way. McCall threw for over 10,000 yards with the Chanticleers and the Wolfpack appeared to develop their youthful quarterbacks within the background for the long run.
Nevertheless, these plans shortly shifted in Week 3 when McCall suffered an undisclosed damage, forcing the true freshman Bailey into motion late within the first half. On the time, NC State was trailing 7-6 and it appeared like issues have been trending within the mistaken course with a serious damage at quarterback.
Nevertheless, Bailey was in a position to come collectively after an early interception and dug his group out of a 17-6 deficit by main three consecutive scoring drives to in the end beat Louisiana Tech 30-20 in a giant win.
That sport confirmed head coach Dave Doeren one thing about his freshman quarterback, as Bailey would go on to begin the subsequent two video games, as NC State misplaced 59-35 to Clemson earlier than beating Northern Illinois 24-17.
As soon as McCall lastly healed up forward of NC State’s sport in opposition to Wake Forest, the senior quarterback resumed the beginning position, with Bailey heading again to the sidelines. However, that wasn’t for lengthy, as McCall then suffered a brutal hit that required him to be carted off and brought to the hospital, prompting Bailey again into motion.
The true freshman would find yourself finishing 28 of 42 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, however the Wolfpack fell simply quick 34-30 in a tricky convention sport.
Since then although, Bailey has taken over the beginning position, going by way of the anticipated ups and downs as a real freshman beginning quarterback in a prime convention.
That led to his finest outing but on the collegiate stage this previous weekend, as Bailey threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-23 win over Cal, finishing 25 of 36 passes within the large victory.
Bailey didn’t commit any turnovers and ended up making plenty of large performs, regardless of being sacked six occasions, capping issues off with the go-ahead scoring drive in the midst of the fourth quarter that ended up being the deciding issue for N.C. State.
Bailey’s efficiency earned him ACC Freshman of the Week honors, as he showcased good poise and improved maturity within the pocket to assist pull out a victory for his group.
Over the previous few weeks, since being re-inserted into the beginning lineup, Bailey has continued to develop at a fast tempo, taking the reigns at quarterback amid the surprising change.
For him, it’s primarily about placing the ball in his playmakers’ arms and letting the magic work from there.
“It feels actually nice to know that I’ve obtained good playmakers and good guys round me that can assist the group out,” Bailey stated after the sport. “Guys like Hollywood Smothers, Justin Joly, and [Kevin] Concepcion, I do know I can depend on. I’m glad to have these guys as a result of, shoot, they made large performs they usually modified the sport.”
It’s been a wild story for the three-star freshman, who got here in anticipating extra of a developmental position in his first 12 months to changing into the starter and placing collectively plenty of high quality performances, together with one which earned him ACC Freshman of the Week.
Now, it’s on to the subsequent a part of the schedule, the place NC State will face Stanford, Duke, UNC and Georgia Tech to spherical out their season. Bailey can be an integral consider these video games, assuming the scenario stays the identical, as he’ll look to proceed growing whereas discovering methods to win his group video games.
