CJ Bailey Placed on Manning Award Preseason Watch List
8/14/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
NEW ORLEANS, La. – NC State quarterback CJ Bailey has been named to the 2025 Manning Award Watch List, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced Thursday.
The list includes 27 of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2025 season. Earlier this summer, Bailey was named to the Maxwell Preseason Watch List as well.
Bailey is just one of four ACC quarterbacks to be named to the watch list.
As a freshman in 2024, Bailey was called into action earlier than expected but quickly became one of the top freshmen in the country and top performers in school history. The Miami, Fla. native started nine games and ranked eighth in the ACC in total offensive touchdowns with 22.
Totaling 2,413 passing yards, he ranked second nationally among true freshmen in the category and totaled 17 touchdowns with a passing efficiency of 143.97. His 17 touchdown passes ranked 17th in program history and are the second most by a freshman, only behind Phillip Rivers and tied with Russel Wilson.
His .649 completion percentage was the highest for a freshman in school history and ranked sixth in the ACC.
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' postseason performances in its balloting. Finalists will be selected prior to the postseason, and the winner will be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship.
The list includes 27 of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2025 season. Earlier this summer, Bailey was named to the Maxwell Preseason Watch List as well.
Bailey is just one of four ACC quarterbacks to be named to the watch list.
As a freshman in 2024, Bailey was called into action earlier than expected but quickly became one of the top freshmen in the country and top performers in school history. The Miami, Fla. native started nine games and ranked eighth in the ACC in total offensive touchdowns with 22.
Totaling 2,413 passing yards, he ranked second nationally among true freshmen in the category and totaled 17 touchdowns with a passing efficiency of 143.97. His 17 touchdown passes ranked 17th in program history and are the second most by a freshman, only behind Phillip Rivers and tied with Russel Wilson.
His .649 completion percentage was the highest for a freshman in school history and ranked sixth in the ACC.
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' postseason performances in its balloting. Finalists will be selected prior to the postseason, and the winner will be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship.
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