Image via Billy Scheurman/ The Virginian-Pilot
The Norfolk State Spartans have identified their starting quarterback for their season-opening matchup against Winston-Salem on Saturday evening.
On Monday’s MEAC Football Coaches Media Call, Spartans’ head coach Michael Vick let it be known that Deljay Bailey will be under center.
Although junior signal caller Reginal Johnson (Jr. – San Diego, CA) was one of the players who represented Norfolk State at MEAC Media Day, Coach Vick said it was an open competition at every position and there were no set starters.
“Unfortunately, right now, he’s not our starting quarterback. It was competition-based, and somebody was able to surpass him, based on understanding, based on production, based on the output. “
The redshirt junior began his collegiate career at Ole Miss in 2023, where he redshirted before moving on to Grambling, where he appeared in 7 contests, completing 39 of his 72 pass attempts for 440 yards, while adding 42 and 2 touchdowns on the ground. His most prolific outing was an 18-of-33 for 206 yards against Bethune-Cookman on November 2, 2024.
In 2025, suiting up for Itawamba CC, the Gautier, MS native played in 9 games and completed 157 of 229 passes for 1,653 yards and 14 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. His efforts garnered the Mississippi Association of Community College Conferences (MACCC) Honorable Mention list.
Norfolk State went 1-11 last season and had the second-worst scoring offense in the MEAC, averaging 20.9 points per contest.
