Iowa State’s record-setting defensive end joins the growing class of college football players electing to forgo their COVID-gifted extra year of eligibility to declare for the 2021 NFL draft. Anticipating draft day, the redshirt senior JaQuan Bailey officially took pen to paper to sign with DEC Management, a global leader in athlete management, for his representation.
JaQuan Bailey was heavily recruited out of high school and immediately fulfilled the lofty expectations set for him. Playing in every game in his inaugural season as a true freshman, Bailey recorded 3.5 sacks, good for third-most by a rookie in Iowa State history. Paired with 23 tackles and six tackles for loss, Bailey earned an honorable mention for the freshman All-American Team.
Bailey would gradually advance his dominance on the gridiron in each of the following years. As a full-time starter in his sophomore campaign, he notched seven sacks and honorable mention All-Big 12 honors. During his junior season, Bailey upped his sack count to eight on the season and led the Cyclones with 46 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss, which secured his spot as second-team All-Big 12. Unfortunately, he would suffer a lower leg injury just four games into his senior season and obtain a medical redshirt. Upon returning as a redshirt senior, Bailey capped off his distinguished college career with 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. His commendable play helped Iowa State achieve the #12 rank on the final AP Top 25 list.
Bailey ended his days playing in the cardinal and gold as the all-time leader in career sacks (25.5) and in career tackles for loss (44.5). Throughout his five-year tenure at Iowa State, Bailey developed a respectable bond with head coach Matt Campbell. Speaking highly of Bailey, Coach Campbell said, “Obviously, JaQuan has played his best football of his career his senior year. I think coming back from that injury, going back to work, and continuing his growth has been a huge positive.” Campbell’s reassuring words should help ease any potential apprehension regarding Bailey’s leg injury as he approaches the NFL Scouting Combine and Draft.
DEC Management is primed to enhance Bailey’s draft appeal in a down year in terms of pass rushers in the 2021 draft class. With over two decades in the industry, DEC offers the full package of services to its clients, from pre-draft preparation to lifestyle management. A hot selling point that DEC Management features is it represents two of the highest-paid defensive players in NFL history. Demarcus Lawrence signed a contract worth $105 million over five years, including $31.1 million in first-year cash. Olivier Vernon has tallied just under $85 million in total in nine seasons. Both elite defensive ends utilized the contract negotiation skills offered by their representation, DEC Management. David Canter, CEO of DEC, believes in a low client to agent ratio to create the biggest dollars for his clients. JaQuan Bailey is reasonably aspiring to follow the football and financial success of fellow defensive ends Lawrence and Vernon. Guidance by DEC Management could be the common factor that assists in turning that aspiration into a reality.