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August 29, 2025
Raleigh, NC
The Birth of a Protostar
Before the 2024 NC State Wolfpack football season started, Cedric Bailey Jr. was just a bright-eyed kid who was blessed with a bright smile and big dreams. Hailing from Hollywood, Florida, Bailey would begin his rise as a sophomore at Chaminade-Madonna High School where he would start 12 games for the Lions on their way to a state championship. Bailey would go on to win 2 more state championships amassing nearly 9700 total yards rushing and passing.
Bailey didn’t always have the spotlight shine on him though as his teammate Jeremiah Smith, an Ohio State commit, was the one getting all of the national attention. It was clear though to the staff at North Carolina State University, that Bailey was the straw that was stirring the drink for the Lions offense. After a stellar junior season in which Bailey threw for over 3,500 yards and 47 TD and a second state title, Coach Dave Doeren and his staff wasted little time offering Bailey a scholarship. A month later in March, Bailey decided to take a visit to Raleigh to see what the Wolfpack had to offer. Three days later, Bailey decided he wanted to be the next great QB for the university who was rich in producing NFL quarterbacks.
Bailey’s star began to shine brighter and brighter as the QB earned an invite to the Under-Armour High School All-American game as a senior. Bailey displayed his talent on nation television accumulating 98 yards and a TD in the game. His talent was now on full display for the nation to see and other schools were taking harder looks at the talented signal caller including his hometown Miami Hurricanes. Bailey decided Raleigh was his home however, deciding he wanted to forge his own path at N.C. State.
From Hollywood to Raleighwood
Bailey enrolled in January of 2024 as one of the youngest players on the team at just 17 years old. His age though was not indicative of his ability. Bailey navigated his first spring practices with the same poise and leadership that made him so successful at the high school level. In his first ever spring game, Bailey would display the massive amount of talent both through the air and on the ground. His ability to throw with precision and accuracy while also navigating the pocket with his legs, were mere glimpses of what was to come during his first regular season with the Wolfpack,
Even though Bailey did not earn the starting job, Bailey proved himself to the coaching staff, and more importantly to his teammates, that his future was very bright. He performed well enough to earn the backup role to senior Grayson McCall for the Wolfpack’s first game of the 2024 season against Western Carolina. Little did he know midway through his first season on campus, Bailey would be thrust into action as a true freshman expected to lead a team that was full of high expectations.
As with any true freshman quarterback, Bailey would have his ups and downs in his first action but would ultimately lead his team to a 30-20 victory over the visiting Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Bailey finished the game with 156 yards passing on his way to 3 second half scoring drives in his first ever game action on campus. With the team dealing with a rash of injuries to key players, including to his key mentor and senior QB Grayson McCall, Bailey would go on to play in 12 games in his freshman season. Bailey finished the season with 2413 yards passing and 17 TD. He would add 279 yards rushing with 5 rushing TD.
The 2025 Star Shines Bright
Flash forward to the beginning of 2025 with the Wolfpack coming off a tough bowl loss to the East Carolina Pirates, Bailey immediately went to work in the Spring to refine the skills he displayed so well in his freshman campaign. Bailey began working hard in the weight room and showed up to spring practice with the goal of getting better each day. Armed with a new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper, his 2024 QB coach, Bailey immediately went to focus on making fewer mistakes and establishing himself as the unquestioned leader of the Wolfpack offense.
Bailey’s efforts in the spring and summer paid off, as his teammates and coaches rewarded him in the offseason by naming him one of the captains of the 2025 squad, the youngest ever captain to be named during Dave Doeren’s head coaching tenure at NC State. Bailey earned the title with his decision-making skills and leadership refinement that were on full display in his week 1 performance against the same East Carolina Pirates who had beaten the Wolfpack to end his 2024 season. Bailey would lead the Wolfpack to a 24-17 victory on opening night flashing all of the bright skills that earned him the opportunity to be the next great QB in a long line of great quarterbacks at NC State.
Bailey finished the night 24-34 for 318 yards and 1 passing TD. He also added a rushing TD in the first half as part of 3 different scoring drives. It was the first time in his career that he threw for and rushed for a touchdown in the same half at NC State. Bailey finished the night with 21 yards rushing. His poise, leadership, and bright smile were on full display on a night where the Wolfpack needed him to shine. They say stars are made in Hollywood on the big screen. For CJ Bailey, his star is being made in Raleigh, NC.
From Hollywood (FL) to the campus of NC State University, Wolfpack fans can turn to their bright, budding star CJ Bailey for what should be a very bright 2025 season and an even brighter future.
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