Mississippi corner waits on big offers
After playing quarterback since junior high, Moss Point (Miss.) cornerback C.J. Bailey had to adjust to a new position this season. This, along with concerns about his height, has caused colleges to take a wait-and-see approach when considering if the 6-foot, 187-pounder will get a scholarship.
"I think most of my offers will come some time in January," Bailey, who currently holds a written offer from Louisiana-Monroe, said. "I haven't gotten any of the schools my game film from this season yet. I think I performed well in camps during the summer, but the game film is what counts.
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"I worked hard on my hips and footwork, but nothing counts like in-game situations."
Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron, along with Rebels recruiting coordinator Matt Luke have both stopped by Moss Point High to check on Bailey in recent weeks. LSU and Memphis coaches have also scouted the No. 30 prospect in Rivals.com's preseason Mississippi top 30.
An offer from the Bayou Bengals would be a dream scenario for Bailey. He camped in Baton Rouge during the summer and LSU has been a favorite ever since.
"They like me a lot," Bailey said. "The one thing is that they were concerned about my height. I measured at about 5-9 or 5-10 at that camp and now I am 6-0."
Bailey says that size could make a difference.
"I am growing," he said. "Thankfully, I am still growing."
Since he has spent most of his career at quarterback, he feels that he brings an added dimension to playing corner.
"I played quarterback for three or four years," Bailey said. "I can read the wide receivers routes so easily. I can read the receivers and the quarterbacks at the same time."
Bailey has seven interceptions, eight pass break-ups and more than 50 tackles this season. Moss Point (5-4) ends its season this Friday night. In last week's loss to George County, Bailey had an interception.
"Other teams don't throw my way a whole lot," Bailey said. "My goal was 10 interceptions, but I guess seven is pretty good when you consider that the other teams don't really throw at me."