Player comparison

Drew Mestemaker

Dean Kindig

Threw for 2,885 yards and added 431 rushing yards with eight rushing scores in his first year at Oklahoma. Transfer from North Texas. Led the FBS in passing yards last season (4,379). Electric throws on tape. Arm strength to access all levels, but decision making must improve. Very agile for his size and his release is so quick. Has a whip for an arm and isn't afraid to attack small windows. Mestemaker's pocket composure and anticipation over the middle are rare for a player with so little starting experience, and there is a foundation worth developing. His touch, post-snap processing lapses, and mechanical consistency all have room to improve, and how far he gets with those will determine his ceiling as an NFL starter.

CJ Bailey

Dean Kindig

24-34 and 1 TD vs ECU, 318 yards, added an 11-yard rushing TD. Then 23-32 3TD vs Wake, a big comeback on the road to win 34-24. He completed 72% of his passes (18-of-25) for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns with zero turnovers vs FSU in a 21-11 win. In the lone scouted loss, Bailey passed for over 200 yards and threw a 6-yard TD pass to Terrell Anderson. Todd McShay called NC State's CJ Bailey the quarterback that surprised him the most at the Manning Passing Academy. ➕ 22 career starts before age 20!! ➕ Completion percentage improved from 64.9% to 68.8% in Year 2 ➕ TD: INT ratio improvement 17:10 to 25:9 ➕ Sack rate improvement (6.4% ➡️4.6%) ➖Ball placement under pressure ➖Post Snap coverage recognition ➖Production vs Top competition.