North Carolina State University Athletics
CJ Bailey Recognized on 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
8/19/2026 3:00:00 PM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State junior quarterback CJ Bailey was named to his third preseason watch list as he was recognized for the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Bailey has also been tabbed to the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp watch lists earlier this summer.
The Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the top upperclassman quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, encapsulates all that is positive in college sports. The award acknowledges on-field performance, but it goes beyond completion percentage and touchdown strikes. The award values character, citizenship, integrity, and those who honor the game.
Only 27 quarterbacks are featured on the preseason watch list recognizing their in field talent, character and leadership.
Bailey joins a long-storied list of Wolfpack quarterbacks to be recognized by the Johnny Unitas Award. Phillip Rivers (2003), Ryan Finley (2017), and Devin Leary (2021) were all finalists for the award in their respective years. Jay Davis, Mike Glennon, Jacoby Brissett, Brennan Armstrong, and Grayson McCall have been other signal callers nominated for the award.
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).
Bailey and the Wolfpack continue to prepare for the start of the 2026 season as they get set to take on Virginia on August 29th at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Bailey has also been tabbed to the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp watch lists earlier this summer.
The Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the top upperclassman quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, encapsulates all that is positive in college sports. The award acknowledges on-field performance, but it goes beyond completion percentage and touchdown strikes. The award values character, citizenship, integrity, and those who honor the game.
Only 27 quarterbacks are featured on the preseason watch list recognizing their in field talent, character and leadership.
Bailey joins a long-storied list of Wolfpack quarterbacks to be recognized by the Johnny Unitas Award. Phillip Rivers (2003), Ryan Finley (2017), and Devin Leary (2021) were all finalists for the award in their respective years. Jay Davis, Mike Glennon, Jacoby Brissett, Brennan Armstrong, and Grayson McCall have been other signal callers nominated for the award.
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).
Bailey and the Wolfpack continue to prepare for the start of the 2026 season as they get set to take on Virginia on August 29th at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.
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