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After a standout freshman season in an emergency situation, NC State sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey earned his way onto yet another preseason watch list. Bailey, who already was named to the Maxwell Award’s preseason group, can add the Manning Award watch list to his resume. He was one of 27 FBS quarterbacks named to the […]

Sep 14, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (16) throws the ball during the second half against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

After a standout freshman season in an emergency situation, NC State sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey earned his way onto yet another preseason watch list.

Bailey, who already was named to the Maxwell Award’s preseason group, can add the Manning Award watch list to his resume. He was one of 27 FBS quarterbacks named to the list, including just one of four from the ACC, going into the 2025 campaign.

The Miami, Fla., native threw for 2,413 yards with 22 total touchdowns in nine starts as a true freshman as graduate Grayson McCall suffered a pair of concussions. Bailey’s passing yard total was second nationally among true freshmen, while his 17 touchdown tosses were the second-most for a player in his class at NC State (trailing just Philip Rivers).

Additionally, Bailey’s 64.9 percent completion rate was the best-ever mark for an NC State freshman quarterback, while it was good enough to be the sixth-best in the ACC last season.

The Manning Award, which was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, will announce its finalists before the College Football Playoff. The winner will be unveiled following the national championship game.

Tweets of the day

There are less than two weeks left until NC State football is back at Carter-Finley Stadium.

2⃣ Weeks 'til Kickoff. You ready, #WPN?#1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/pzYEX0Vy5k
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) August 14, 2025

Will Wade’s non-conference schedule is drawing positive reviews after it was released this week.

Women’s soccer dropped its season opener to James Madison on Thursday night.

Quote of the day

NC State redshirt freshman running back/wide receiver Jonathan Paylor is coming along in his development in fall camp. Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren likes the progress he has seen from the former four-star recruit.

“We were excited to see him,” Doeren said. “I think last year was learning how to be a college football player — learning how to play receiver, for him. In the offense he was in [at Cummings], he was doing everything. Just honing him in on that. And then in the spring, getting him the ball other ways. He’s grown a lot since he’s gotten here.”