One week following Miami’s homecoming matchup against Syracuse, there is another one looming this Saturday but not for the Canes. Instead, for South Florida native and quarterback, CJ Bailey. And even
though Miami is a two touchdown favorite against NC State, this side storyline has additional value for the Chaminade-Madonna Prep alum, especially as the Canes start peaking toward who could be a QB option in the transfer portal and rumors are swirling about what Miami’s plans are this offseason at the position.
Bailey, who won the starting job at Chaminade his sophomore year, went on to win three state titles and has still not looked back. In fact, Bailey flashed almost immediately in his sophomore season in 2021 where he led a comeback over fellow Miami native and then-Columbus High senior, Fernando Mendoza. Yes, the same Mendoza that was not recruited by the Canes, shredded Miami’s defense last season in an near-upset over Cam Ward, and now looks Heisman-bound at Indiana. That South Florida native is working wonders for the Hoosiers instead of the Canes whose late season narrative would likely be different if led by Mendoza instead of Carson Beck.
While history cannot be rewritten as to last year’s QB portal search, the irony is thick, especially as Bailey is coming off a game where he carved up Georgia Tech – a team that Miami loves to see lose as they need all the ACC help down the stretch. Now, Miami needs to beat the Wolfpack to preserve their postseason hopes, but is ironic as the Canes would likely be better off with a South Florida native such as Bailey (or Mendoza) than Beck at the helm.
Even more interesting is the timing of some transfer portal rumors as analysts such as Todd McShay link big names like LaNorris Sellers to Miami if he returns, and ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller reports the “word on the transfer portal streets is that Miami is ready to break the bank for a QB.” Insiders are quietly admitting what is obvious: the Canes cannot afford to have a setback like Beck with all the talent on the roster (i.e. Malachi Toney, JoJo Trader, and Joshua Moore), especially where the program is just one year removed from seeing how a proven name like Cam Ward can provide an instant fix to a win-now team.
This Saturday provides a possible foreshadow into the future while glancing at the past. That is, Bailey represents what might have been for Miami, who is a Sophomore that secured the starting job this year at NC State after taking over for Grayson McCall last season and has thrown for 2,411 yards, 19 touchdowns and thrown seven interceptions, while also running for 137 yards and four scores (as a true freshman last season, Bailey outdueled Mendoza in the Columbus-Chaminade rematch by leading the Wolfpack to a 24-23 victory over Cal). Bailey was a three-star prospect, ranked No. 89 in the nation according to 247Sports. However, by the time Miami officially offered Bailey a scholarship, it had already signed Judd Anderson and also signed Ward out of the portal.
Again, the past cannot be changed but Bailey might also represent a peak into the future as pundits are, naturally, already connecting Bailey to Miami as the Canes look to back up the Brinks truck for a proven quarterback. Thus, this homecoming which has important implications as to Miami’s postseason hopes, could serve as a harbinger for a program still searching for stability under center. Watching a South Florida kid command the moment might sting just a bit more especially knowing he could’ve been the homegrown talent steadying the huddle instead of breaking it down – with a little extra salt in the wound as another South Florida native in Mendoza has all but secured the Heisman.
This is all occurring while the Canes have witnessed Beck’s tenure drift into that uneasy in-between that is nowhere near the upgrade it was billed to be. The arm talent flashes at times and the pedigree is there, but the spark? It’s missing and will be the scapegoat if Miami misses an ACC Championship or College Football Playoff appearance. The offense sputters when it should hum, the reads come late with costly turnovers potentially costing the two close losses, and the rhythm just never fully syncs. The chatter around Miami, and nationally, has already shifted from patience to planning: who’s next, and how much are they willing to pay?
It’s almost poetic – or maybe tragic – how the quarterback carousel keeps orbiting around Coral Gables and the South Florida area. Miami had a shot at Mendoza who, retrospectively analyzing, clearly deserved a blank-check offer. Miami had a shot at Bailey.
But now, Miami now potentially has another shot at the local product in Bailey who fits the exact mold Miami claims to prioritize – South Florida born, battle-tested, built for the big stage. While he’s thriving in Raleigh and quietly stabilizing a middling NC State, for Bailey, this weekend isn’t just another game; it’s a full-circle moment. A chance to prove the Miami school that overlooked him might’ve missed on one of their own, but this also serves as a possible dress rehearsal for the future and a chance to make the Canes put their money where there mouth is this offseason.
CJ Bailey’s return isn’t just a homecoming; it’s a reminder that sometimes the next great Miami quarterback isn’t across the country, he’s been right here in the backyard the whole time. The irony, of course, is that in this week’s game, the backyard gem can still come at a price. And as the Canes prepare to “break the bank” again this offseason, Bailey could just as easily be the next local product brought home for the right number. Saturday might not only showcase what Miami missed – it could be a preview of what they’re finally ready to buy back.
