NC State freshman QB CJ Bailey continues to evolve going into third-career start 

Going into the season, freshman quarterback CJ Bailey was ready to sit and learn behind graduate Grayson McCall. But after an undisclosed injury sidelined McCall against Louisiana Tech, Bailey has been at the controls of the NC State offense while the Coastal Carolina transfer recovers.

And he will again this weekend against Wake Forest inside Carter-Finley Stadium.

Bailey, who finished a second-half comeback against the Bulldogs before making two starts, has continued to grow over the last three games. Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren, who has plenty of experience playing with multiple starting quarterbacks in season (he’s done it five of the last six seasons), has liked what he’s seen from Bailey as a starter. 

The Miami, Fla., native has completed 42 of his 65 attempts for 468 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while adding another 43 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. 

Doeren has also been pleased with Bailey’s maturation on the field. His latest evolution has come on the practice field. The quarterback is comfortable with talking to all of his teammates, most of which are veterans on the offensive line, as he has taken a leadership role within the offense.

Now, Bailey is comfortable telling his teammates what he needs them to do on certain plays, taking care of those around him, Doeren said. 

“He understands he’s in charge of things,” Doeren said Thursday. “He’s got a certain mentality about himself. He’s always carried himself with not a free spirit, but he loves football. When he shows up, he’s smiling, he’s happy. He likes playing the game and that hasn’t changed.”

With Bailey under center, NC State has not wanted to shy away from its offensive game plan. While Doeren admitted last week there are some things he can and can’t do with a freshman, limiting the amount they put on Bailey’s plate, he still has the same message for the offense with the first-year starter at the helm. 

“There’s a lot of things when you’re breaking in a new quarterback that are unique,” Doeren said. “But the message is always the same: We want to end every drive with a kick, not turn the ball over, want to win the line of scrimmage, and we want to make explosive plays.”

NC State’s offense struggled to create explosive plays a week ago. Bailey hit redshirt freshman wide receiver Noah Rogers for a 34-yard gain on the opening drive, but the Pack didn’t have another drive that went longer than 36 total yards the rest of the game. 

That’s a growth point the entire offense is looking to clean up against Wake Forest’s defense, which ranks 16th in pass defense (285.8 yards allowed per contest) and 17th in rushing defense (184.8 yards allowed per game) among ACC teams this season. 

Those struggles could open up big plays for NC State’s offense, something the Pack wants to get back on track to avoid another game with eight punts (though redshirt junior Caden Noonkester put seven of those inside the 20-yard line with an average of 49.8 yards per attempt last weekend).

“The message doesn’t change, the execution of what we’re doing has to improve,” Doeren said. “Obviously, looking at play selection and stuff like that, that’s on the coaches. What can we do to help with that? With formations, personnel, motions. We’re always evolving.”

NC State’s offense only put up 176 total yards a week ago, while it averages 326.6 this season. The Pack is looking to see that number swell as Bailey continues to grow comfortable as the team’s starting quarterback. 

And while Doeren and the staff hope for the offense’s continued improvement, Bailey is on the same page with that.

“I play off their energy,” Bailey said of the Carter-Finley Stadium crowd following his most recent start, a 24-17 win over Northern Illinois last Saturday. “They had so much energy. It pumps us up. Now, we have to make plays, so we can keep hearing those screams.”