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NC State Newsstand: QB CJ Bailey named to Maxwell Award watch list

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•07/29/25•

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CJ Bailey
Oct 5, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (16) holds the ball during the first half of the game against Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

After a standout true freshman campaign last fall, NC State sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey earned his way onto the preseason Maxwell Award watch list, which was announced Monday afternoon.

Bailey is one of 80 college football players to make the list for the award, which honors the most outstanding player at the end of the season. It’s the second straight season the Wolfpack has had a representative on the list as graduate quarterback Grayson McCall earned the honor last fall.

As a freshman, Bailey emerged as one of the top true freshman quarterbacks in college football last fall. He threw for 2,413 yards (second-most among true freshmen) with 17 touchdowns in nine starts. Bailey’s 22 total scores were the eight-most in the ACC, while his passing touchdowns were the second-most by a freshman in program history (Philip Rivers). 

Additionally, Bailey had a 64.9 percent completion rate, which was the most efficient for a freshman in school history, while it was the sixth-best in the ACC last fall. 

The Maxwell Award will announce its semifinalists on Nov. 11, while three finalists will be named on Nov. 25. The winner will be unveiled on ESPN’s College Football Awards show on Dec. 11.

Tweets of the day

NC State men’s basketball and Will Wade have locked in an official visit with Castaic (Calif.) SoCal Academy three-star C Trevon Carter-Givens.

The Textile Bowl won’t happen this fall or next. NC State coach Dave Doeren isn’t too happy about that. 

Throwback Tuesday: Here’s a look at former NC State linebacker Bill Cowher from his playing days before he became a Hall of Fame NFL coach.

Quote of the day

NC State redshirt freshman running back Duke Scott generated a lot of offseason buzz this offseason. Bailey is excited to see the tailback on the field in fall camp.

“Duke is a tank. It’s crazy,” Bailey said. “His squat and bench are insane. He’s going to get a chance to play. He’s like a bowling ball, so when I give him the ball, he’s going to go [downhill]. I can’t wait for everybody to see Duke Scott, he’s a really good player.”

Today’s top headlines

‘He’s special’: Why the offseason buzz around NC State RB Duke Scott is real going into fall camp

NC State coach Dave Doeren believes Textile Bowl vs. Clemson should be ‘cemented’ into schedule each year

4-star senior Lucas Morillo impresses during evaluation periods, earns NC State offer

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