The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544864
TRACKING THE PACK 16th CJ BAILEY'S place in ESPN's ranking of the 68 projected starting quar- terbacks in the Power Four conferences this year. The ranking was issued in early March, before many schools had even started spring practice, but writer Bill Connelly was very high on Baily's potential heading into his ju- nior season. "His upside is otherworldly," Connelly wrote. "If Dave Doeren made the right moves in the transfer portal this offseason … Bailey could be a top-10 QB in 2026." I think he did them a favor." — Rod Brind'Amour, coach of the NHL's Raleigh-based Carolina Hurricanes, on Will Wade's departure after just one season in charge of the NC State men's basketball program 4:03.28 SADIE ENGELHARDT'S time in the 1,500-meter race April 17 at the Wake For- est Invitational. The NC State freshman set an ACC record with her finish, which was sixth-fastest in NCAA history. The conference record previously belonged to another Wolfpack standout, Katelyn Tuohy, who posted a time of 4:06.49 in 2023. 30 NC State players who have been drafted into the NFL since Dave Doeren took over the program. During Doeren's tenure, the Pack has had at least one player drafted every year except 2015. Cornerback Dontae Johnson was the first Doeren-coached player to enter the league when he was selected by San Francisco in the fourth round of the 2014 draft. The most recent additions to the list are tight end Justin Joly, who went to Denver in the fifth round in April, and defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland, who went to Las Vegas in the seventh round. I really want to get drafted [into the WNBA]. Yeah, I could transfer and go make a lot of money, or I could stay at State and trust in Wes and the staff that they're going to do the things that they said they're going to help me do, which is get drafted and be prepared." — Forward KHAMIL PIERRE, on her decision to eschew the transfer portal and stay with coach Wes Moore's Wolfpack for her senior season Growing up, it's always been like that — love who loves you. They loved me since first recruiting me out of high school. Coach [Kurt] Roper and Coach [Dave] Doeren went that extra mile to get me. I'm here now, and I'm staying here. Y'all believe in me, and I believe in y'all. That's how it is." — Quarterback CJ Bailey, on forgoing the transfer portal to stay at NC State as a junior MAY/JUNE 2026 ■ 19 PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS