NC State quarterback CJ Bailey met with the media to discuss the Virginia game, how he's developed, and much more!
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
How does it feel to play a team in a different jersey this weekend?
It feels good. All camp we've been going against each other, being competitive. No, like today was a good practice, really competitive. And I'm like, y'all know our plays. I'm like, in my head, we're still about to play Virginia. Let's think about Virginia. Instead of going against each other. So I”m very competitive today. I'm ready to get to Virginia for sure.
The guy that you played with at Chaminade-Madonna, over on the other side — I mean, how unique will it be for you to face him? And what does that mean to you as well?
It means a lot. We faced him last year. He's a good player. It means a lot. That's my boy. We're both from Florida. And you know what it means to win. You know what it means to win in Florida. We play different. We move different. So that's just one of my guys.
CJ, how do you flip the switch from you guys have been grinding for what, about a month now in fall camp to now you're finally looking ahead to an opponent? I mean, what does that switch look like for you? And do you feel like the guys out there have made that switch mentally?
Yeah, of course. I definitely think those guys have made the switch. And like the mindset is really the same. Like, I'll be honest, it is a switch. But it's kind of the same with how we move. And like, we always practice with a high intensity. We practice with, like, a high, positive mindset. We're looking forward to bringing that to game day. But the switch is, we're going to get somebody else this time. Like, we actually have to bring it to them. We actually get to see how we are in each quarter of a game. Not starting off slow and then finishing good. Finish, start fast and finish fast. So, like, we got to get used to the game flow. That's what I mean.
You had another former teammate (D’Angelo Ponds) who won the national title last year at Indiana; did you ever talk to him?
Yeah.
What was that kind of like for you?
Yeah, like so, like a little back story. It's like me, Ponds, JJ, and Jojo, we're all like brothers. We all have the same goals, same mindset; we're the same kind of people. We always think alike. So when I speak with them, it's just like, we're on like a buddy-buddy friendship thing like that. And I congratulate him for that championship and also getting drafted, right? He was a good player and will be a good player for the Jets. And he's my guy.
The team hasn't played in Charlottesville since 23’. And there's been a lot of roster turnover. But there are some guys who are on that team. Have they talked to you at all about what it's like playing up there?
Not at all.
What about Virginia? Have you been in the scout for them yet? What are your impressions of them if you are scouting them?
Meaning, like, we just like...
Have you started scouting Virginia?
Oh, yeah, of course. They're a good team. Like, we watched their film last year. And we played them as well. And they do; they're a really good team that's going to be competitive on game day. They're going to come out to play. They're not going to just let us win. Of course, they're at home. Like, this is their home. And they're going to have a big stage and a big stadium and everything like that. But we're going to scout for them. They're a good team. They're a good physical team. And I'm looking forward to playing.
Who's really stood out to you the most as you guys have gone through the last month of practice, kind of getting ready for this week? Yeah, who have you seen stand out? But it could be on offense, could be going against defense.
It's really like they are pretty good players. It's just that we can't really decipher who the guy is. I'm really interested in their DBs. Like, they got some new guys coming in from Rutgers. And, I watched I watched them when they taking it all like that. But, like, they're pretty good. But I like I like, the competition and how they play the game. So I'm very interested to see how they attack us and how they come out against us on Saturday.
What's the big difference between a 3rd year starting quarterback and a 1st year starting quarterback?
Yeah, the biggest difference is how you see the game. Like when you first come in as a freshman, you're just playing ball. Like, you're just playing ball. You don't worry about the protections. Something I'm missing:g motions and stuff like that. Like this year, I don't even know the whole system. And like when I walk out there, and I'm thinking about what they're doing and not what we're doing over here. So when I walk out there, I'm looking at the defense and how we're going to attack them, rather than just thinking about concepts, routes, and which motion to run.
They came here last year. And, again, the teams are different. Was there anything that you learned, maybe in terms of the scheme and how Tony Elliott likes to run his offense and defense?
Like, they like to play a some four-down man, things like that. But I really don't want to get into all that and the info.
Is there a different sense of urgency going into this season playing a conference game right off the top?
Oh, yeah, of course. Like I said, we've been preparing for this for a long time, and every practice, every day we come out, is very competitive. It's very high-intensity. And like that's the mindset. Like, that is it. Like come out on like we know that we have a good opponent for the first game, good conference game. And we're coming out to attack. So, like, every day it's been like that. But I tell you, every day it's been like that. It's been like that. So it's been good.
How important is it for you to have a good show on the road? Obviously, a couple of your struggles last year came when you guys were away from home.
It's very important to set the tone for those away games because those are really big. And, for us last year, of course, like everybody knows, we were really good at home, and that's how we struggled. So, setting that tone right away, those away games, getting that win and getting everybody to have the same mindset as when we're home. It's going to be big for us. So that first game is going to be big.
Does it help to have the first game be an ACC game when it comes to getting off to a good start?
Yeah, good question. It definitely does, because, like, our team, when it comes to our conference, we're big on winning our conference. And with this being the first game, it's our first test. Like, it's our first real test of how our season will go. Like, sometimes teams start off slow and finish good. Like when we play in this game right here is the first conference game. We got to come out and attack those people, like, to set the tone for the season. Period.
