North Carolina State University Athletics
Manning Award Names CJ Bailey to Preseason Watch List
8/24/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N. C. – CJ Bailey has become one of the most talked- about and anticipated quarterbacks in the country. The NC State play caller has added another preseason honor to his growing list of accolades, as he was named to the Manning Award Preseason Watch List by the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Monday morning.
This marks Bailey' s fifth preseason watch list. The Manning Award watch list included 40 of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2026 season. This will be the second consecutive season Bailey has been recognized by the Manning Award and is one of just six ACC quarterbacks to be recognized.
Earlier this summer, Bailey stood out at the Manning Passing Academy.
One of the top quarterbacks in the country, Bailey returns to Raleigh for his third season with the Wolfpack as a team captain for the second consecutive year. The Miami, Fla., native already holds the school' s career completion percentage at. .671 (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).
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 a top performer in school history. The Miami, Fla., native started nine games and ranked eighth in the ACC in total offensive touchdowns with 22.
He totaled 2, 413 passing yards, ranked second nationally among true freshmen in the category, and threw 17 touchdowns with a passing efficiency of 143. 97. His 17 touchdown passes ranked 17 th in program history and are the second most by a freshman, only behind Phillip Rivers and tied with Russel Wilson.
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.
Bailey has also been recognized by the Maxwell Club, Walter Camp, Davey O' Brien, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards.
