As the 2018 Iowa State football media day came to a close, junior defensive end JaQuan Bailey meandered through the cardinal and gold tunnel in Jack Trice Stadium toward the parking lot.

At the opening of the tunnel, Bailey belted a few out-of-tune lyrics, showing off his big personality. While Bailey’s musical future may not be bright, his football future certainly is.

Coming off a seven sack season to bump his career total to 10.5 sacks, Bailey is creeping into uncharted territory for a Cyclone pass rusher. Shawn Moorehead sits atop the Iowa State career sacks record, tallying 18.5 from 2004-06.

While a potential record looms, contrary to Bailey’s media day exit, the defensive end remains focused.

“My level of maturity, body fat, on and off the field, being a true athlete 24/7 not just when I’m up here in the facility,” Bailey said on what he’s improved on in the off season.

Nutritionally, Bailey said that he tries drinking more water at home and avoiding juice and “sweet little icy cones”.

In Bailey’s two seasons at Iowa State, he’s learned the importance of hydration in the up-tempo Big 12 Conference.

“You actually have to drink a lot of water because if you don’t, man, your body will start shutting down around halftime,” Bailey said.

Aside from getting his body right, Bailey is working on his leadership as one of the veterans on the defensive side of the ball.

Last season, Bailey celebrated a sack against Texas but negated it with a somersault along the sideline. This year, as he continues to be a dangerous pass rusher, teammates have noticed Bailey’s improvements as a leader both the field and in practice.

“JaQuan’s been doing great as far as being more of a leader and being more vocal,” said fellow defensive lineman Ray Lima. “I just expect him to be him and do what he’s always been doing and wreaking havoc.”

Lima, a quieter piece to the vocal defensive line, has played a part in trying to quiet down Bailey.

“Ray [Lima] will actually challenge me to see who can stay the quietest the whole practice,” Bailey said. “That never works because I’m just a loud, aggressive dude.”

Bailey is a big personality, but he’s not the only one on the defensive line who likes to have fun. At media day, a swarm of tall, stout men walked from interview huddle to interview huddle, having fun with coaches and teammates.

With the fun, though, the unit has to be kept in line. The man in charge of the defensive line, Eli Rasheed, dishes out the fun, but also enforces the down-to-business part of being on the field.

“The balance is me. They know when it’s time to lock a jaw,” Rasheed said on balancing fun and work. “They’ve done a great job so far of really working hard and having a good time being around together.”

A couple minutes later, the pack of defensive linemen led by Bailey and Kamilo Tongamoa congregated around Rasheed and a trio of reporters.

Tongamoa squeezed between a couple reporters, extending a rolled up Gatorade cup as a makeshift microphone.

Tongamoa threw out a question, and Bailey followed with some chatter before Rasheed shooed them off.

While Bailey provides humorous interactions with other defensive linemen, he also assists them to improve the unit.

Matt Leo played in three games last season before taking a medical redshirt to save a year of eligibility.

During Leo’s redshirt season and off season, the junior college transfer picked up on some technicalities of Bailey.

“I love JaQuan,” Leo said. “He’s developed so much in the time that I’ve been here. Things I can learn off him is work ethic, speed. He’s a technical man, knows his hands, knows how to move well.”

Flashes of talent have appeared since Bailey’s freshman year, but now the leadership and maturity are present as he heads into his junior season.

With records in reach, some athletes may find a distraction in it. The opportunity to eclipse the career sack record at Iowa State exists for Bailey, but when asked about it being on his radar, Bailey brushed it off.

“I just try to come to work everyday,” Bailey said.