Cam Newton lists CJ Bailey as one of his Top 5 QBs in College Football

NC State quarterback CJ Bailey continues to earn national recognition heading into the 2026 season, and the latest endorsement comes from one of the greatest quarterbacks of the modern era and a Carolina Panthers legend.

Top 5 College Football QBs in 2026 👀

New episode out now, link below ⬇️ https://t.co/ipSYdGIMjs pic.twitter.com/WHpj5A67q5

— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) July 24, 2026

Former NFL MVP and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton recently revealed his top quarterbacks in college football, placing Bailey at No. 4 nationally. For a player entering the season with growing expectations in Raleigh, it’s another sign that the rest of the country is beginning to recognize what Wolfpack fans have seen developing over the past two seasons.

Coming from Newton, the praise carries some decent weight. Say what you want about Cam, but as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in football history, Newton understands the position at the highest level. His comments on Bailey show you that CJ isn’t just being hyped locally, but is becoming a true national household name.

Bailey has steadily built that reputation since taking over as NC State’s starter. His poise, arm strength, decision-making, and ability to extend plays have made him one of the ACC’s top signal callers, and many believe 2026 could be the season he makes the leap from conference star to …dare we say it… Heisman contender.

The Wolfpack enters the year with aspirations of competing near the top of the ACC, and Bailey is expected to be the centerpiece of that push. If he continues his upward trajectory, the preseason hype surrounding him might just be the start.

Here is what Cam Newton said in its entirety:

Cam Newton: Nobody’s talking about C.J. Bailey at North Carolina State. C.J. Bailey was Jeremiah Smith’s high school quarterback. That was a really good high school football player.

Co-Host: ACC, are they playing the same type of competition? Because a lot of people are like, “Why would we even compare them to this?”

Cam Newton: Well, you had guys that played at D2 schools, still go, Trey Lance, Carson Wentz. Don’t nobody say nothing about that. Don’t nobody say Josh Allen went to Wyoming. What C.J. Bailey has been able to produce versus other quarterbacks is impressive.