Is NC State Ready to Air the Ball Out More in 2025?

The past two seasons under Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae were a conundrum at NC State. Anae was developed under Mike Leach, who was famous for his Air Raid offense.

The Wolfpack’s passing game in 2023 and 2024, however, was more dink-and-dunk than Air Raid.

With Kurt Roper taking the reins as NC State’s offensive coordinator in 2025, will the Wolfpack unleash Sophomore Quarterback CJ Bailey to sling the ball down the field this season?

The game plan in NC State’s 24–17 win over ECU last Thursday might indicate the answer is “yes.”

Roper coached the quarterbacks the past two seasons and is still overseeing the Wolfpack QBs as offensive coordinator in 2025.

On Thursday, Bailey threw 20.6% of his passes 20+ yards down the field, completing 4 of 7 with a touchdown and producing a QB rating of 141.4.

In 2024, Bailey attempted only 11.9% of his passes 20+ yards downfield, completing 50% of them for 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. His QB rating on deep passes was 98.1.

Last Thursday, 44.1% of his passes traveled 10+ yards in the air, compared to 36.4% last season.

Here’s to hoping Kurt Roper lets CJ Bailey cook in 2025.