But unlike St. Nick's annual late-December appearance, Bailey's arrival came early - although with equal anticipation.
"LiDarral is so far ahead of schedule," Mary Hardin-Baylor football coach Pete Fredenburg said of his freshman quarterback. "We knew he was a quality athlete. Just look at his history and you know he's a gifted athlete.
"We didn't know he could throw the ball as well as he does or learn the offense as quickly as he has."
By proving to be as quick of a learner as he is a runner, Bailey will make his second start Saturday, when third-ranked UMHB (5-0 overall, 4-0 American Southwest Conference) visits Mississippi College (4-1, 3-0) for a game that for all intents and purposes will decide the ASC championship.
Even for a guy who's made a habit of blowing past defenders, it has been a whirlwind of a start to his college career.
"I never would have thought that I would come in, catch on so quickly and have a chance to be the starter," Bailey said. "I thought the first year would just be finding out what it was like, then maturing the second year and going from there.
"But it's been something different for me."
That's because he brings something different to the option-based offense of the Crusaders, who have found a quarterback who can exploit defenses with his legs and his right arm.
Bailey has completed 23 of his 32 pass attempts for 326 yards and two touchdowns, and he leads the team in rushing (490 yards), total offense (816) and all-purpose yards (490).
Those are gaudy numbers for a guy who played on average less than a half in each of the first four games.
However, Bailey takes his production in stride.
"I've been playing sports since I was a little kid," he said. "That's the reason I can see the field and make the cuts, because I've been playing for a while.
"I've lived in Bremond my whole life, but I played (pee-wee) football for Groesbeck. We went to the 'Super Bowl' in 2002. We were pretty good, so I'm used to winning."
His exploits didn't end on the youth field, though.
An all-state football and basketball player at Bremond, he led the Tigers to the Class A Division II state football final in 2007 and to the Region IV basketball tournament final in '08. That's in addition to what he did on the track, where last spring he qualified for the state meet in four events, winning gold in the 300-meter hurdles and bronze in the 110s.
The 5-11, 170-pound Bailey has had so much success in every sport he's played that it remains a difficult choice as to which is his favorite.
"It's kind of a tough pick," he admitted. "My favorite sport growing up was basketball. But since I had a chance to play football in college, I took advantage of it.
"Back then, I think I was better at basketball. Now I think I have a better chance to do something in football."
The latter is an understatement.
Bailey has the ability to shred defenses with a glide that appears effortless, making precise cuts while never slowing down.
"On the field this season, I haven't got up to the fastest that I can," he said. "I just try to stay under control and make the right cuts, shake the defenders so I can score."
When he doesn't keep it on the option or scramble out of the pocket, Bailey can make the most difficult throws. Because he holds himself to the standard of a polished veteran, though, he admits he needs to work more on his passing mechanics.
"At this point, there's no such thing as a freshman," he said. "You have to get in there and play like you know the game. I don't really look at myself as a freshman anymore. I have to step up and direct the team as a quarterback."
If Bailey's level of play continues to rise, it's possible that UMHB could have its first all-conference quarterback since Cody Fredenburg in 2003.
Not that Bailey's thinking about that, because he has only one thing on his mind.
"My only goal," he said, "is to lead this team to a national championship."
Although that's a lofty target for a freshman, it probably wouldn't be wise to bet against him.
Because thus far anyway, Bailey has proven that just like the jolly old fat man, he can deliver the goods.
