2026 Portal QBs

[Juanka]

 

[Tony4Canes]

What’s going on with him

 

[RealRussellPumps]

What’s going on with him

Figured he would be an absolute lock to Auburn with Golesh.

 

[Hufftwoseven]

Figured he would be an absolute lock to Auburn with Golesh.

He would get eaten alive in the SEC lol

 

[RealRussellPumps]

He would get eaten alive in the SEC lol

I agree but I figured Golesh would want a ready made QB for his system.

 

[ShadowSpring]

Honestly Leavitt is dropping a bit for me. He really didn’t have a good year this yr imo. And the injury.

Mestemaker and Sorsby. I don’t think OKSt can match an offer we’d make. It’s just about if he wants to follow Morris. BUT maybe the Cam Ward connection could help with Dawson already having showed the possibility for similar move.

Glad you see the light.....

This years class is underwhelming thus far.

 

[ShadowSpring]

View attachment 346387

He's making a fortune and from what I understood was a 2 year deal. If we can break it up, he's probably the top of my list.

 

[Tempest]

Sorsby is my clear #1. He’s going to be a beast wherever he goes. Absolute gamer.

 

[CanesNation26]

Honestly Leavitt is dropping a bit for me. He really didn’t have a good year this yr imo. And the injury.

Mestemaker and Sorsby. I don’t think OKSt can match an offer we’d make. It’s just about if he wants to follow Morris. BUT maybe the Cam Ward connection could help with Dawson already having showed the possibility for similar move.

This is where I'm at. Those are my top two.

I'd also take Bailey, but not if he's commanding the same money as Mestemaker or Sorsby. If we can land Bailey at $2.5M a year (vs. $5M for a Sorsby or Mestemaker), that's good value.

 

[ShadowSpring]

This is where I'm at. Those are my top two.

I'd also take Bailey, but not if he's commanding the same money as Mestemaker or Sorsby. If we can land Bailey at $2.5M a year (vs. $5M for a Sorsby or Mestemaker), that's good value.

Bailey with less INT's would be a home run. From what I see, probably the best passing QB of all of em.

 

[Tony4Canes]

Bailey with less INT's would be a home run. From what I see, probably the best passing QB of all of em.

Stats in line with Beck interceptions?

 

[Gables Cane]

This is where I'm at. Those are my top two.

I'd also take Bailey, but not if he's commanding the same money as Mestemaker or Sorsby. If we can land Bailey at $2.5M a year (vs. $5M for a Sorsby or Mestemaker), that's good value.

$2.5M for a top-tier Portal QB? No way.

The floor has to be $3.0 - $3.5 given the market.

 

[U_Canes]

He would get eaten alive in the SEC lol

I have to think Deuce is in line to start at QB. Tho I think Brown would look better with better talent around him. Maybe could compete for the job

 

[rascon]

The one position where “value” should not be a consideration is QB.
Identify the BEST fit for your team and pay the price.

 

[Zbrod95]

How do people feel about Colton Joseph? Similar to Riley Leonard and I think he’s a better passer. I think we can build an explosive, versatile O with that kid.

 

[ShadowSpring]

Stats in line with Beck interceptions?

yup pretty similar. Also similar in that they happened mostly in a couple games.

 

[TriStarCane]

Here is the AI scouting report on Bailey. I fed it all of his stats and baselines + defensive and national stats for context. I asked it to create a scouting report as if it was presenting it to a playoff contending P4 HC, OC, GM with primary focus on how his did vs top 50 defenses (8 of his 12 games):

Below is a front-office style scouting analysis of CJ Bailey (QB, So., NC State) focused specifically on performance vs Top-50 defenses, framed for a Head Coach / GM / Offensive Coordinator audience.

Executive Summary
CJ Bailey profiles as a legitimate Power-4 transfer QB with functional dual-threat traits whose production holds up reasonably well against Top-50 defenses, but whose ceiling is currently constrained by efficiency drop-off, pressure sensitivity, and a lack of explosive passing volume versus elite units.

He is not overwhelmed by quality defenses, but he does not elevate the offense against the best competition. The profile is that of a winning, system-reliant QB with developmental upside, not a plug-and-play CFP difference-maker as a passer yet.
Snapshot: Top-50 Defense Performance vs Season

Category​	Top-50​	Season​	Delta / Takeaway​
Comp %	65.9%	69.6%	▼ Noticeable efficiency dip
Yards/Game	200.4	240.3	▼ Production drops
TD/INT	13 / 6	23 / 9	▼ Less scoring leverage
Yards/Attempt	6.6	7.8	▼ Explosiveness decline
QBR	134.0	150.3	▼ Impact rating drop
Sacks	14	20	~ Similar pressure rate
Rush Yds/Att	3.22	2.6	▲ Mobility translates

Key takeaway: Against Top-50 defenses, Bailey retains baseline competence but loses efficiency, explosives, and scoring punch.

Passing Traits vs Top-50 Defenses

Positives

• Accuracy remains functional (66% completion)
• Low catastrophic turnover rate (6 INT in 8 games)
• Good Yards/Completion (10.0) → Indicates timing throws & YAC opportunities
• Strong performances vs:
  
  • Virginia
  • Wake Forest
  • UNC
  • ECU

These games show he can operate cleanly when protected and when matchups are defined.
Concerns

• Yards/Attempt drop from 7.8 → 6.8
• TD rate drops sharply vs elite teams
• QBR drops by ~11%
• Multiple sub-60% completion games vs Miami / Notre Dame
• High-pressure games expose:
  
  • Late reads
  • Conservative decision-making
  • Limited downfield anticipation

Translation: Against elite coverage + pass rush combos, Bailey becomes more of a distributor than a play-creator.

Pressure & Sack Profile

• 14 sacks vs Top-50 (70% of season total despite fewer attempts)
• Not alarming, but confirms:
  
  • He doesn’t consistently defeat pressure pre-snap
  • Needs cleaner pockets or protection help

Against Miami & Notre Dame:

• Sack spikes
• INT rate increases
• Y/A collapses

This aligns with average-to-below-average pressure processing for CFP standards.

Dual-Threat Value

This is where Bailey quietly helps himself.

• 58 rush attempts, 187 yards, 4 TDs vs Top-50
• Rush Y/A improves vs better defenses
• Several high-leverage scrambles (UNC, Virginia)
• Functional red-zone threat

He is not an explosive runner, but he:

• Extends drives
• Punishes man coverage
• Forces safeties to account for him

OC takeaway: His legs are reliable in structure, not scramble-chaos like elite runners.

Win/Loss Context

• 5–3 vs Top-50 defense
• Wins mostly at home or against mid-tier defensive units
• Losses tend to coincide with:
  
  • Away environments
  • Top-15 caliber defenses
  • Pass rush + tight coverage teams

He does not fold, but does not flip games in hostile settings.

National Context (Passing Ranks)

• Completion %: 13th
• Passing yards: 28th
• TDs: 23rd
• INTs: 12th
• Y/A: 49th
• QBR: 30th

Strong national baseline, but Top-50 tape explains why he’s not higher.

Projection & Fit Evaluation
What He IS

High-floor P4 starter
Coachable, competitive, steady
Functional dual-threat
Can win games with structure
Not turnover-prone

What He Is NOT (Yet)
A CFP defense-breaker
A vertical play-driver
A pressure-immune processor
A plug-and-play Heisman profile

Ideal Fit (OC Perspective)
CJ Bailey fits best in:

• RPO-heavy, rhythm-based offenses
• Defined reads (1–2 high)
• Play-action with TE involvement
• QB movement designed into the offense
• Protection-aware systems

He will struggle if asked to:

• Live in pure dropback
• Win late vs disguised coverage
• Carry a pass-first offense against elite fronts

Final Verdict (GM / HC Level)
CJ Bailey is a viable high-end transfer option if your roster is strong and you need stability, mobility, and developmental upside—but he is not currently a Tier-1 CFP QB who elevates talent around him.

If surrounded properly, he can:

• Win 9–10 games
• Beat ranked teams
• Manage high-leverage moments

To win Playoff games, he must either:

1. Take a significant Year-3 leap in anticipation and downfield efficiency
2. Be supported by an offense that minimizes pressure exposure

Transfer Grade: B / B-plus
CFP Ceiling (as-is): Competitive Starter, not difference-maker
Developmental Upside: Real, but not guaranteed

 

[CanesNation26]

$2.5M for a top-tier Portal QB? No way.

The floor has to be $3.0 - $3.5 given the market.

That’s fine. I wasn’t trying to be exact with the $2.5M figure. The point of the $2.5M vs. $5M comparison is about value. I don’t think we should overpay for Bailey, but if we can get him at a decent discount compared to others, that would represent good value.

 

[bacane]

Here is the AI scouting report on Bailey. I fed it all of his stats and baselines + defensive and national stats for context. I asked it to create a scouting report as if it was presenting it to a playoff contending P4 HC, OC, GM with primary focus on how his did vs top 50 defenses (8 of his 12 games):

Below is a front-office style scouting analysis of CJ Bailey (QB, So., NC State) focused specifically on performance vs Top-50 defenses, framed for a Head Coach / GM / Offensive Coordinator audience.

Executive Summary
CJ Bailey profiles as a legitimate Power-4 transfer QB with functional dual-threat traits whose production holds up reasonably well against Top-50 defenses, but whose ceiling is currently constrained by efficiency drop-off, pressure sensitivity, and a lack of explosive passing volume versus elite units.

He is not overwhelmed by quality defenses, but he does not elevate the offense against the best competition. The profile is that of a winning, system-reliant QB with developmental upside, not a plug-and-play CFP difference-maker as a passer yet.
Snapshot: Top-50 Defense Performance vs Season

Category​	Top-50​	Season​	Delta / Takeaway​
Comp %	65.9%	69.6%	▼ Noticeable efficiency dip
Yards/Game	200.4	240.3	▼ Production drops
TD/INT	13 / 6	23 / 9	▼ Less scoring leverage
Yards/Attempt	6.6	7.8	▼ Explosiveness decline
QBR	134.0	150.3	▼ Impact rating drop
Sacks	14	20	~ Similar pressure rate
Rush Yds/Att	3.22	2.6	▲ Mobility translates

Key takeaway: Against Top-50 defenses, Bailey retains baseline competence but loses efficiency, explosives, and scoring punch.

Passing Traits vs Top-50 Defenses

Positives

• Accuracy remains functional (66% completion)
• Low catastrophic turnover rate (6 INT in 8 games)
• Good Yards/Completion (10.0) → Indicates timing throws & YAC opportunities
  • Virginia
  • Wake Forest
  • UNC
  • ECU

These games show he can operate cleanly when protected and when matchups are defined.
Concerns

• Yards/Attempt drop from 7.8 → 6.8
• TD rate drops sharply vs elite teams
• QBR drops by ~11%
• Multiple sub-60% completion games vs Miami / Notre Dame
  • Late reads
  • Conservative decision-making
  • Limited downfield anticipation

Translation: Against elite coverage + pass rush combos, Bailey becomes more of a distributor than a play-creator.

Pressure & Sack Profile

• 14 sacks vs Top-50 (70% of season total despite fewer attempts)
  • He doesn’t consistently defeat pressure pre-snap
  • Needs cleaner pockets or protection help

Against Miami & Notre Dame:

• Sack spikes
• INT rate increases
• Y/A collapses

This aligns with average-to-below-average pressure processing for CFP standards.

Dual-Threat Value

This is where Bailey quietly helps himself.

• 58 rush attempts, 187 yards, 4 TDs vs Top-50
• Rush Y/A improves vs better defenses
• Several high-leverage scrambles (UNC, Virginia)
• Functional red-zone threat

He is not an explosive runner, but he:

• Extends drives
• Punishes man coverage
• Forces safeties to account for him

OC takeaway: His legs are reliable in structure, not scramble-chaos like elite runners.

Win/Loss Context

• 5–3 vs Top-50 defense
• Wins mostly at home or against mid-tier defensive units
  • Away environments
  • Top-15 caliber defenses
  • Pass rush + tight coverage teams

He does not fold, but does not flip games in hostile settings.

National Context (Passing Ranks)

• Completion %: 13th
• Passing yards: 28th
• TDs: 23rd
• INTs: 12th
• Y/A: 49th
• QBR: 30th

Strong national baseline, but Top-50 tape explains why he’s not higher.

Projection & Fit Evaluation
What He IS

High-floor P4 starter
Coachable, competitive, steady
Functional dual-threat
Can win games with structure
Not turnover-prone

What He Is NOT (Yet)
A CFP defense-breaker
A vertical play-driver
A pressure-immune processor
A plug-and-play Heisman profile

Ideal Fit (OC Perspective)
CJ Bailey fits best in:

• RPO-heavy, rhythm-based offenses
• Defined reads (1–2 high)
• Play-action with TE involvement
• QB movement designed into the offense
• Protection-aware systems

He will struggle if asked to:

• Live in pure dropback
• Win late vs disguised coverage
• Carry a pass-first offense against elite fronts

Final Verdict (GM / HC Level)
CJ Bailey is a viable high-end transfer option if your roster is strong and you need stability, mobility, and developmental upside—but he is not currently a Tier-1 CFP QB who elevates talent around him.

If surrounded properly, he can:

• Win 9–10 games
• Beat ranked teams
• Manage high-leverage moments

To win Playoff games, he must either:

1. Take a significant Year-3 leap in anticipation and downfield efficiency
2. Be supported by an offense that minimizes pressure exposure

Transfer Grade: B / B-plus
CFP Ceiling (as-is): Competitive Starter, not difference-maker
Developmental Upside: Real, but not guaranteed

Sounds fairly reasonable or accurate. Hold accuracy as critical, so would like to see 70%plus. QB whispers would have a better idea, but our two most recent QBs were highly experienced & a strength being ability to quickly identify & read defenses. Has Bailey shown the same ability?

 

[Hufftwoseven]

Here is the AI scouting report on Bailey. I fed it all of his stats and baselines + defensive and national stats for context. I asked it to create a scouting report as if it was presenting it to a playoff contending P4 HC, OC, GM with primary focus on how his did vs top 50 defenses (8 of his 12 games):

Below is a front-office style scouting analysis of CJ Bailey (QB, So., NC State) focused specifically on performance vs Top-50 defenses, framed for a Head Coach / GM / Offensive Coordinator audience.

Executive Summary
CJ Bailey profiles as a legitimate Power-4 transfer QB with functional dual-threat traits whose production holds up reasonably well against Top-50 defenses, but whose ceiling is currently constrained by efficiency drop-off, pressure sensitivity, and a lack of explosive passing volume versus elite units.

He is not overwhelmed by quality defenses, but he does not elevate the offense against the best competition. The profile is that of a winning, system-reliant QB with developmental upside, not a plug-and-play CFP difference-maker as a passer yet.
Snapshot: Top-50 Defense Performance vs Season

Category​	Top-50​	Season​	Delta / Takeaway​
Comp %	65.9%	69.6%	▼ Noticeable efficiency dip
Yards/Game	200.4	240.3	▼ Production drops
TD/INT	13 / 6	23 / 9	▼ Less scoring leverage
Yards/Attempt	6.6	7.8	▼ Explosiveness decline
QBR	134.0	150.3	▼ Impact rating drop
Sacks	14	20	~ Similar pressure rate
Rush Yds/Att	3.22	2.6	▲ Mobility translates

Key takeaway: Against Top-50 defenses, Bailey retains baseline competence but loses efficiency, explosives, and scoring punch.

Passing Traits vs Top-50 Defenses

Positives

• Accuracy remains functional (66% completion)
• Low catastrophic turnover rate (6 INT in 8 games)
• Good Yards/Completion (10.0) → Indicates timing throws & YAC opportunities
  • Virginia
  • Wake Forest
  • UNC
  • ECU

These games show he can operate cleanly when protected and when matchups are defined.
Concerns

• Yards/Attempt drop from 7.8 → 6.8
• TD rate drops sharply vs elite teams
• QBR drops by ~11%
• Multiple sub-60% completion games vs Miami / Notre Dame
  • Late reads
  • Conservative decision-making
  • Limited downfield anticipation

Translation: Against elite coverage + pass rush combos, Bailey becomes more of a distributor than a play-creator.

Pressure & Sack Profile

• 14 sacks vs Top-50 (70% of season total despite fewer attempts)
  • He doesn’t consistently defeat pressure pre-snap
  • Needs cleaner pockets or protection help

Against Miami & Notre Dame:

• Sack spikes
• INT rate increases
• Y/A collapses

This aligns with average-to-below-average pressure processing for CFP standards.

Dual-Threat Value

This is where Bailey quietly helps himself.

• 58 rush attempts, 187 yards, 4 TDs vs Top-50
• Rush Y/A improves vs better defenses
• Several high-leverage scrambles (UNC, Virginia)
• Functional red-zone threat

He is not an explosive runner, but he:

• Extends drives
• Punishes man coverage
• Forces safeties to account for him

OC takeaway: His legs are reliable in structure, not scramble-chaos like elite runners.

Win/Loss Context

• 5–3 vs Top-50 defense
• Wins mostly at home or against mid-tier defensive units
  • Away environments
  • Top-15 caliber defenses
  • Pass rush + tight coverage teams

He does not fold, but does not flip games in hostile settings.

National Context (Passing Ranks)

• Completion %: 13th
• Passing yards: 28th
• TDs: 23rd
• INTs: 12th
• Y/A: 49th
• QBR: 30th

Strong national baseline, but Top-50 tape explains why he’s not higher.

Projection & Fit Evaluation
What He IS

High-floor P4 starter
Coachable, competitive, steady
Functional dual-threat
Can win games with structure
Not turnover-prone

What He Is NOT (Yet)
A CFP defense-breaker
A vertical play-driver
A pressure-immune processor
A plug-and-play Heisman profile

Ideal Fit (OC Perspective)
CJ Bailey fits best in:

• RPO-heavy, rhythm-based offenses
• Defined reads (1–2 high)
• Play-action with TE involvement
• QB movement designed into the offense
• Protection-aware systems

He will struggle if asked to:

• Live in pure dropback
• Win late vs disguised coverage
• Carry a pass-first offense against elite fronts

Final Verdict (GM / HC Level)
CJ Bailey is a viable high-end transfer option if your roster is strong and you need stability, mobility, and developmental upside—but he is not currently a Tier-1 CFP QB who elevates talent around him.

If surrounded properly, he can:

• Win 9–10 games
• Beat ranked teams
• Manage high-leverage moments

To win Playoff games, he must either:

1. Take a significant Year-3 leap in anticipation and downfield efficiency
2. Be supported by an offense that minimizes pressure exposure

Transfer Grade: B / B-plus
CFP Ceiling (as-is): Competitive Starter, not difference-maker
Developmental Upside: Real, but not guaranteed

I still think he should be a back up options not the priority