Wolfpack quarterback Bailey Hockman will see a familiar uniform across from him as he gets his third straight start for NC State Saturday night when they face Florida State. Hockman signed with the Seminoles out of high school in 2017 as a top ESPN300 player expecting to play for then head coach Jimbo Fisher. Fisher would resign in December of that year to head to Texas A&M – leaving Hockman in a tough position.
“Obviously I went there to play for Jimbo and when he left that was kind of hard” Hockman said.
Willie Taggert would be hired to replace Fisher, which made things slightly different in terms of the direction the program would go at quarterback. After redshirting the 2017 season, Hockman played in the Seminoles spring game before ending his FSU career – agreeing it was best for both parties.
“Me and Taggert just ended up having a little disagreement on things and ultimately I just felt like it was where I wasn’t supposed to be at and I felt like I just needed a change,” added Hockman.
Hockman ended up at Hutchinson Community College, becoming the No.1 JUCO Pro-Style quarterback and No.32 overall recruit. He then transferred to NC State, doing the reverse of his father Kyle who started his career with the Wolfpack before transferring to Bowling Green.
While this won’t be the first time Hockman has faced his former squad, this will be his first game as the starter. In NC State’s 2019 loss to FSU, Hockman came off the bench throwing for 208 yards and a touchdown. While the colors will be familiar, the faces on the sideline and field will be different – as the Seminoles have a brand new coaching staff from his days wearing garnet and gold.
“I played in this game last year. It’s good to see all the guys. I don’t know nearly as much of the players as I did last year just because they’re younger a lot of the guys left, but it should be a lot of fun.”