Scouting report, ball placement and accuracy profile, and overall thoughts on NC State QB CJ Bailey

A two-year starter at NC State, ever since his freshman season, Bailey enters the 2027 NFL Draft cycle with a decent amount of hype and recognition among draftniks. He is this week’s quarterback to talk about.

However, we are seeing fewer and fewer underclassmen quarterbacks declare with the growth of NIL. These quarterbacks can go back to school and still lock down financial security without taking the massive risk of leaping to the NFL. It’s why I am skeptical of using too much of my summer scouting time on underclassmen quarterbacks, but Bailey has gathered enough hype for me to pay attention.

Here, I break down his season finale against North Carolina (also his best performance), provide a six-game ball placement and accuracy charting profile, and write up a full scouting report on the Wolfpack gunslinger.

Here are my thoughts on the 20-year-old Bailey entering the 2026 season:

Table of Contents:

• Measurables, Career Stats, and Awards

• Injury History

• Strengths

• Weaknesses

• Ball Placement and Accuracy Profile

• Final Thoughts

Measurables, Career Stats, and Awards

Measurables (listed)

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 213 pounds

Career Stats

2024: 196-of-302 passing, 64.9% completion percentage, 2,413 yards passing, 17 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 279 yards rushing, 5 rushing touchdowns

2025: 273-of-397 passing, 68.8% completion percentage, 3,105 yards passing, 25 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 215 yards rushing, 6 rushing touchdowns

Awards

N/A

Injury History

Bailey has suffered no significant injury that has caused him to miss time.