North Carolina State University Athletics
Bailey Named to 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
8/17/2026 12:25:00 PM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State junior quarterback CJ Bailey was named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year.
This is Bailey's second preseason watch list selection, as he was also tabbed to the Maxwell Award watch list earlier this summer.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation announced 50 "players to watch" for its 2026 Player of the Year award, the nation's fourth-oldest individual college football accolade. The complete watch list features 41 offensive players – 22 quarterbacks, 11 running backs and eight receivers/tight ends – along with nine defensive players. Players from 38 schools are represented.
Entering his third year leading the offense and named captain by his teammates, he holds the school's career completion percentage with a .671 mark (469-699). He ranks seventh in career touchdown responsibility (53), eighth in the Wolfpack career record books in passing yards (5,518), fifth in passing yards per game (220.72), and eighth in touchdown passes (42). He also ranks seventh in career rushing by a quarterback (494).
First awarded in 1967, the 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in early November, with three finalists announced in early December. The recipient will be selected by the 138 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors and announced during the second week of December.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation notes that appearing on the preseason watch list is not a requirement for a player to win the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award or earn Walter Camp All-America honors.
This is Bailey's second preseason watch list selection, as he was also tabbed to the Maxwell Award watch list earlier this summer.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation announced 50 "players to watch" for its 2026 Player of the Year award, the nation's fourth-oldest individual college football accolade. The complete watch list features 41 offensive players – 22 quarterbacks, 11 running backs and eight receivers/tight ends – along with nine defensive players. Players from 38 schools are represented.
Entering his third year leading the offense and named captain by his teammates, he holds the school's career completion percentage with a .671 mark (469-699). He ranks seventh in career touchdown responsibility (53), eighth in the Wolfpack career record books in passing yards (5,518), fifth in passing yards per game (220.72), and eighth in touchdown passes (42). He also ranks seventh in career rushing by a quarterback (494).
First awarded in 1967, the 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in early November, with three finalists announced in early December. The recipient will be selected by the 138 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors and announced during the second week of December.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation notes that appearing on the preseason watch list is not a requirement for a player to win the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award or earn Walter Camp All-America honors.
Players Mentioned
QB
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Monday, August 17
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Friday, August 14