Kirk Herbstreit Believes CJ Bailey Is Underrated. Can He Be That Good?

College GameDay’s host adds CJ Bailey to his Top 5 list of quarterbacks not getting enough attention. This NC State quarterback has a chance to raise his profile this season.

Oct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey (11) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

This college football season seems loaded with many high-profile, star-studded quarterbacks looking to make an even bigger name for themselves once the season kicks off. 

NC State’s CJ Bailey isn’t a household name just yet, but there’s no denying his stock is on the rise. Football analyst Kirk Herbstreit is putting the country on early notice that Bailey is up next. 

Herbstreit Adds Bailey To His Short List 

Bailey is the third of five quarterbacks mentioned in Herbstreit’s clip uploaded to Twitter. In the same sentence, Herbstreit calls Bailey a monster and also lauds the signal-caller’s 6-foot-6 frame. 

For an analyst like Herbstreit, who is around football nonstop, to praise Bailey with the “Monster” tag is a big deal. It’s an expression that hasn’t been bestowed on an NC State quarterback in the last two decades. 

A monster is a force that is hard to ignore and difficult to contain. Monsters don’t go down without a fight. NC State needs CJ Bailey to let his inner monster loose this season. He needs to scare opposing defenses into submission. 

With Bailey on the field, he gives the Wolfpack a fighting chance at victory.  

Keep your eyes on these QBs going into this 2026 college football season 👀 pic.twitter.com/S9d6JWqliE

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) August 20, 2026

There’s Room To Improve 

“I think Dave Doeren thinks that he’s got a pretty good team this year. I think they’re better up front. He’s got some good skill to work with, so keep an eye on CJ Bailey for the Wolfpack,” said Herbstreit.

Last season, Bailey threw for 3,105 yards with 25 touchdowns on a 68.8% completion rate while leading the Wolfpack to an 8-5 record. 

If Bailey continues improving each week and can also successfully guide NC State through its ACC schedule unscathed, he’ll have a chance to get recognized on a larger scale.   

It Begins in Week 0 

CJ Bailey impressed last year during State’s matchup against Virginia. The then-sophomore quarterback completed 69.6% of his passes for 200 yards with 1 touchdown. Bailey also rushed for two scores in the 35 to 31 victory over the Cavaliers. 

All eyes will be on NC State versus Virginia in Week 0. This is one of the marquee games of the weekend and offers a perfect stage for Bailey to try and impress early.