NC State quarterback has been named the 247Sports True Freshman of the Week after an outstanding performance against Stanford, where he completed 90% of his passes and threw for three touchdowns.
Bailey has been consistent for NC State throughout the season, but he was particularly exceptional during Saturday’s game. He quickly made an impact with 40- and 30-yard completions on just his first six throws, helping his team take an early 10-point lead in the second quarter of the ACC Week 10 matchup.
From there, Bailey only got better. He finished the game completing his final 14 passes, including three touchdowns, leading NC State to a commanding 59-28 victory over Stanford. By the time he left the game in the fourth quarter, Bailey had gone 18-for-20 for 234 yards and three touchdowns, achieving the program’s highest completion rate since Philip Rivers in the early 2000s.
This remarkable performance earned Bailey recognition as the 247Sports True Freshman of the Week for Week 10. Reflecting on his success, Bailey said he has worked on staying calm under pressure. “I think I really improved on staying relaxed,” Bailey told Pack Pride. “Now everything feels smooth and in control.”
Bailey’s confidence spells trouble for opposing defenses, as he has been impressive all season. His opportunity to shine came after NC State’s starting quarterback, Grayson McCall, had to retire earlier this year due to recurring concussions.
As a result, Bailey has started five games and played in seven, showing steady improvement. For the season, Bailey has completed 69.5% of his passes for 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. His 78.6 PFF grade ranks highest among true freshmen with over 100 pass attempts.
A promising prospect, Bailey appears to be the future of NC State football. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 190 pounds, the Miami native was highly regarded coming out of Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep, where he led his team to a state championship as a sophomore.
Over his high school career, he totaled 9,005 passing yards and 116 touchdowns, and chose NC State over offers from Georgia, Louisville, and a late push from Miami.
