Spring Football: Bailey Ready For Leadership Role In 2016

By Zach Ratchford
Athletic Communications Student Assistant

Change can often be a very positive thing, Aaron Bailey knows this first hand in his college football experience.

A highly recruited quarterback out of Bolingbrook High School in Illinois, Bailey was no stranger to stardom. The 6-2 quarterback, a four-star recruit, committed to the University of Illinois and began play his freshman season in 2013.

Through two years of minimal playing time, Bailey knew it was time for a change. Bailey would go on to look at a variety of schools seeing what they could offer, and more importantly, how he fit in to the environment.

"I was looking for a school that I was comfortable in on and off the field, and a fair opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback position" Bailey said.

Through this selective process one stood out above the rest, the University of Northern Iowa.

Choosing the Panthers meant he would not have to sit out the year that would have been required if he transferred to another division one school. The Panthers could offer Bailey the ability to play right away, a full scholarship, and the ability to stay at quarterback.

"The coaches were real, up front, and honest, the players were real and we all connected from day one," Bailey said.

Upon entering the UNI program, it didn't take long to see this was a match that was going to lead to big things. A perfect fit for the Panthers spread offense, Bailey would excel on the field, posting numbers that spoke for themselves.

One of the country's premier dual threat quarterbacks, Bailey would go on to throw for 1,656 yards and 13 touchdowns, adding 1,334 yards and 19 scores on the ground.

Bailey was third in the conference in rushing yards, fourth in passing efficiency, and second in points scored, earning MVFC Newcomer of the Year. While his stats spoke for themselves, Bailey attributes his teammates' talent to his success.

"After realizing the talent we have and the weapons we have, it allows me to make plays due to defenses having to key on so many players," Bailey said.

Through his stellar play, Bailey would win multiple awards throughout the season along with his player of the year award from the conference. He was named MVFC Newcomer of the Week on several occasions along with earning All-MVFC second-team in just his first year in the league.

Bailey immediately became an impact player for the Panthers in 2015, helping his team to a 9-5 record and an appearance in the FCS Playoff Quarterfinal game. The senior's 19 rushing touchdowns made waves in the league and at UNI, breaking the school record for rushing touchdowns in a season, also setting a new MVFC record for rushing scores in a season and rushing yards in a season by a quarterback.

While it was a successful first season in the Purple and Old Gold at UNI, Bailey knows that in 2016, expectations will be even higher. With a grueling fall schedule and a look toward another playoff run, Bailey is ready to kick off his senior campaign.

"I'm expecting something higher in terms of team and individual goals after last season," Bailey said. "And now we have this spring and summer to hone in on that."

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Spring Football: Bailey Ready For Leadership Role In 2016

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