The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534227
MAY/JUNE 2025 ■ 37 you have in place. Then we have an op- portunity to recruit a little bit after the spring." It didn't take long for the last part of Doeren's process to yield results. NC State added three defensive transfers — senior edge rushers Cian Slone and Sabastian Harsh, and redshirt junior linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. — from the portal just one day after the Wolfpack's spring practice wrapped up. It's clear Eliot is preparing to possibly adjust the defense in the fall, using the edge rushers as hybrid outside lineback- ers who can get into opposing backfields in a hurry. CJ Bailey Takes Another Step Forward It was a night-and-day difference from last spring to this past month for sopho- more quarterback CJ Bailey. A year ago, he was a wide-eyed first-year player just trying to adjust to college life. But after being thrown into the fire as a freshman with eight starts in relief of an injured Grayson McCall, Bailey has immense confidence now. Bailey, who threw for 2,413 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a freshman, has been able to build more chemistry with his wideouts this spring, which the Pack hopes will continue his growth process. While the Miami native appeared to improve as a passer this spring, ripping the ball around in the Wolfpack's prac- tices, he also wanted to take the oppor- tunity to grow as a leader, too. So far, it seems that has worked out well. "I started to use my voice more, break out and be that leader," Bailey said early in the spring. "That's what I learned at the end of last year, and it helped the team. Coming into this year, I already started the offseason with the guys. I'm being more commanding, taking control of ev- erything, being a leader. It's bettering the team right now." Bailey set a goal of becoming a captain as early as this fall. Players will vote dur- ing camp in August, but in the meantime, the sophomore's ability to rise to the oc- casion on and off the field has him well- positioned to be among the top leaders on the team. "I come to practice every day knowing guys are looking for me, looking for CJ Bailey," he said. "I like that. That's why I play quarterback. I like feeling the pres- sure and everybody leaning on me." Familiarity With Scheme Helps Tra Thomas Thrive When Temple transfer Tra Thomas ar- rived at NC State, he was reunited with Eliot, who recruited him to the Owls out of Independence (Kan.) Community College after the 2021 campaign. While they were only together for one season in Philadelphia, Eliot and Thomas built a relationship that stretched well beyond football. That bond — coupled with his expe- rience playing in Eliot's scheme — has proved advantageous for Thomas, a grad- uate student who is listed at 6-foot-3, 228 pounds. He is already comfortable with the terminology, and the playbook is fairly similar to what he learned in his first Division I season. This spring, Thomas was a step ahead in learning the playbook and was an extra resource for his teammates who might have had a question or two about how Eliot runs the defense or a specific term being used. While Thomas had an advantage in the defensive playbook install, he was also able to fly around during the Wolfpack's spring game. Multiple recruits who were in the stands watching the closed scrim- mage raved about Thomas. Said Lorenzo Tartamella, a three-star defensive line- man from Holmdel, N.J., in the 2027 class, "I loved how Tra Thomas' play style was and how fast he was off the line of scrimmage." As the season approaches, Thomas is confident he can build off his quality spring in Raleigh. He's comfortable with Eliot as a play-caller, and he believes his defensive coordinator will be able to set him up for a productive final collegiate season. "I'm ready. I can't wait," Thomas said. "He knows my skill set, and he knows what to do with me when I'm on the field. The defense that he calls is meant for me to make a lot of plays. I'm ready to roll." ■ Preparing for his 13th season in Raleigh, coach Dave Doeren said he was impressed with the Pack's competitiveness this spring on both sides of the ball. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL