Buzz vs Tape
His own fans are far more bullish than the rival fanbase.
The Miami defense dominated from start to finish, Jakobe Thomas picked off 2 passes- taking one back 60 yards to the house, Carson Beck tossed 3 touchdown passes- 2 to freshman Malachi Toney, fellow frosh Girard Pringle Jr. ran for over…
— Alex Donno, Jim GRIES Grieshaber
Also worth knowing:
Fan claims · every quote verified verbatim
They remain in the top-half of the conference thanks to do-it-all quarterback CJ Bailey and the league’s best schedule draw.
Based on 1 comment from 1 poster across 1 thread · Jul 28, 2026 · via CFB
CJ Bailey
Keeps the offense on schedule and doesn't lose the game. Second year in the NC State quarterback room, same address the whole way. The receipt on tape: 364 pass yds, 9 rush yds against Duke, Week 4, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
Career Arc
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Dave Doeren
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2025
W 35–31
vs Virginia
200 yds · 1 TD · 0 INT · QBR 90.0 · 44 rush yds (6 car) · 2 TD
Edged out Virginia at home in a shootout.
How he plays
Play style
Consistent underneath passer who protects the lead. Rarely loses games; rarely wins them alone.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
NC State
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Quarterback · NC State
Returning around him
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
NC State · Last season: 8-5 · Talent rank #45 · 2026 recruiting class #49
DNA match
Player DNA
Consistent underneath passer who protects the lead. Rarely loses games; rarely wins them alone.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to CJ Bailey’s 2024 season.
Differs from CJ on
Through 2 college seasons, his career arc tracks closest to Eli Peters’s path through Toledo.
Matches Eli on
As a sophomore, his production profile tracks closest to Nico Iamaleava's sophomore season at Tennessee (2024).
Matches Nico on
Differs from Nico on
Player DNA
Heisman trajectory
Heisman Trajectory · 2025
Peaked at #20 this season.
Development
Development Trajectory · passing yards
2024–2025Up 29% from first season to most-recent.
Background
AS A SOPHOMORE (2025): • Has added 20 lbs. since arriving on campus. AS A FRESHMAN (2024): • One of the top freshman performers in school history, he started nine games. • Was called into action earlier than expected with injuries to Grayson McCall. • Ranked eighth in the ACC in total offense tou...