Tag: Bryce Baker

UNC football’s top Class of 2025 recruit signs Letter of Intent on Wednesday

UNC officially landed its quarterback of the future on Wednesday.

The North Carolina Tar Heels continue to win on the football recruiting trail, particularly given their recent hire of Bill Belichick as head football coach.

UNC’s greatest victory, so far, was getting 4-star quarterback Bryce Baker to re-assure his commitment on Saturday.

Baker, North Carolina’s top recruit in the 2025 class, further solidified his commitment when he joined Belichick at halftime of the UNC-La Salle basketball game.

On Wednesday, December 18, Baker officially locked himself into Chapel Hill.

In a small ceremony at East Forsyth (NC) High School, where Baker starred as the Eagles’ starting quarterback over the past two seasons, Baker signed his Letter of Intent in front of coaches, teammates and family.

Baker threw for 6.605 yards, 79 touchdowns and just eight interceptions at East Forsyth, leading his team to four state playoff victories. Baker also showcased his abilities as a dual-threat QB, running for 536 yards and nine more scores on the ground.

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With the Tar Heels uncertain about their 2025 starting quarterback, Baker has a golden shot to start from Day One. He’ll be competing with at least Max Johnson, the former Texas A&M and LSU transfer, who broke his leg in North Carolina’s 2023 opener at Minnesota.

Baker has a lot to be excited about as UNC’s likely quarterback of the future. His offensive line already has two key pieces, with 2024 starters Aidan Banfield and Austin Blaske recently withdrawing from the transfer portal, plus he now has a former SEC tight end in Connor Cox to catch passes.

Don’t be surprised to see others follow in Baker’s footsteps, whether withdrawing from the transfer portal or flipping their commitments to the Tar Heels.

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UNC football’s top 2025 recruit speaks on Bill Belichick’s vision in Chapel Hill

Does UNC’s top 2025 football recruit like Bill Belichick’s vision for the program?

Though the North Carolina Tar Heels are busy preparing to play in the Fenway Bowl on Saturday, December 28, they can breath a huge sigh of relief about their 2025 football roster.

Bryce Baker, UNC’s top-ranked Class of 2025 recruit and a prime candidate for starting quarterback next season, re-assured his commitment to North Carolina on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, Baker walked onto the Dean Dome court with the Tar Heels’ new head football coach, Bill Belichick.

Playing for Belichick, who won six Super Bowls as the New England Patriots‘ head coach, should be a player’s dream. Belichick is known for getting the best out of his players – and he now takes over a North Carolina program looking for consistency.

On Tuesday, December 17, Baker spoke highly of Belichick and his vision at UNC.

“He just explained how he was going to run it like an NFL place,” Baker said. “He knows there’s differences in college and the NFL, but he will have that next-level accountability he’s going to hold the team to.”

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Baker, who threw for a whopping 6,605 yards and 79 touchdowns at East Forsyth High School between 2023 and 2024 seasons, will compete with Max Johnson for the Tar Heels’ starting quarterback job in 2025.

Jacolby Criswell is out of eligibility and Conner Harrell is in the transfer portal, so Baker’s path to a starting job is that much clearer.

As legendary a coach Belichick is, the one knock against him is no college coaching experience. College football is becoming increasingly professional by the day, highlighted by how NIL money is tossed around, so I have full confidence in Belichick’s ability to lead North Carolina.

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Amare Campbell returning to UNC football proves the Belichick effect is real

Amare Campbell’s return wasn’t the only big roster news for the UNC football last week.

Saturday, December 14 was a big day for the UNC football program – and continued to solidify why new head coach Bill Belichick is the real deal.

On Saturday, North Carolina starting middle linebacker Amare Campbell withdrew his name from the transfer portal. For a position the Tar Heels entered the season unsure about, given Cedric Gray’s departure to the NFL (he’s now a Tennessee Titan), they witnessed a star develop in Campbell,

Through 12 regular season games, Cambpell tied for a UNC-best 6.5 sacks,  recorded 10.5 tackles for loss (second-highest), 72 total tackles, four quarterback hurries.

Campbell entered the portal when North Carolina dragged its feet on initially hiring Belichick, but withdrew once Bill was the guy.

Campbell’s withdrawal was the Tar Heels’ greatest roster move so far after Belichick’s hire, but it was just one of four moves.

4-star quarterback Bryce Baker officially signed with UNC, while 2024 starting offensive linemen Austin Blaske and Aidan Banfield withdrew themselves from the transfer portal.

What’s particularly encouraging about these recent decisions: despite Belichick never previously coaching at the college level, players trust his longtime success in the NFL.

Belichick led the New England Patriots to Six Super Bowl titles and several additional AFC East Championships, so he knows a thing of two about winning consistently.

North Carolina has its quarterback of the future and two linemen to protect him. There’s no telling what the Tar Heels’ defense will do, but Campbell’s return solidifies a unit looking for consistency. If you watch NFL religiously every Sunday like myself, you know that Belichick had some pretty good defenses in New England.

There’s bound to be several additional moves for UNC: both in the transfer portal and with highly-touted, high school recruits.

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Bill Belichick officially welcomed to Chapel Hill at halftime of UNC-La Salle basketball

The Dean Dome crowd was treated to a special surprise at halftime of UNC-LaSalle on Saturday.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are the talk of the sports world right now – and surprisingly, it has nothing to do with basketball.

On Wednesday, December 11, UNC hired NFL legend Bill Belichick to be its next head football coach. North Carolina showed initial interest in the likes of Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell and came close to hiring Tommy Rees, the former Notre Dame quarterback.

It was Belichick, though – with his winning mentality, continued passion for coaching and desire to get back on the sidelines – that led the Tar Heels to hire him.

On Saturday, Dec. 14 at halftime of the UNC-La Salle basketball game, North Carolina officially welcomed Belichick to the entire Dean Dome crowd.

Everyone in attendance greeted Belichick with a roar of applause – expectedly so. The Tar Heels go from one of the ACC’s most mediocre programs, to one that is now expected to contend for conference championships – and hopefully, CFP national titles.

UNC is already seeing the effects of hiring Belichick. 2024 starting offensive linemen Austin Blaske and Aidan Banfield pulled themselves out of the transfer portal. 5-star transfer portal prospects are planning visits to Chapel Hill.

Also on Saturday, 4-star quarterback Bryce Baker confirmed he will remain a Tar Heel – and plans to sign on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Baker joined Belichick on the court at halftime.

The moves aren’t anywhere close to being over yet. Belichick wants to turn North Carolina into an NFL-style program, previously saying UNC will turn into an NFL pathway. This means that the top talent out there, both in high school and the portal, should seriously consider Carolina Blue.

After all, every college football player’s dream is to make the NFL. So why not come play for Belichick?

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Penn State is hosting four-star 2025 quarterback Bryce Baker this weekend

Penn State hosting UNC quarterback commit for regular-season finale.

Things are coming down the wire before Early National Signing Day, and Penn State is doing everything they can to put some finishing touches on the 2025 class to solidify a strong group.

Ideally, the Nittany Lions will be able to sign the majority of their current commits on Dec. 4, especially since this cycle has been one of the wilder ones for the program in recent memory with so many flips and decommitments.

However, [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] and his staff are full entering chaos mode of their own with multiple flip targets they are going after still seemingly in play as they host Maryland for their regular season finale on Saturday.

One of those players is going to be on campus.

Four-star quarterback and current North Carolina commit, [autotag]Bryce Baker[/autotag], is taking a trip to Happy Valley for the game this weekend following the news that the Tar Heels have decided to fire Mack Brown.

This would be an interesting addition to the class.

With there being tons of question marks surrounding their lone quarterback commit, [autotag]Bekkem Kritza[/autotag], the Nittany Lions have been searching the market to bring an addition player at that position in for this cycle.

Baker could be that guy, although it sounds like he is ready to back off from his North Carolina commitment just yet with his dad telling Steve Wiltfong of On3 that he’s still “100% committed” to that program, even with the visit to Penn State this weekend and potential trip to LSU upcoming (subscription required).

Still, this is great step for Penn State.

Baker is listed as the 93rd-best player in the class and No. 10 at his position per On3’s Industry Rankings, so adding him to their current group would be a major boost.

It will be interesting to see what comes out of this trip.

Based on the news of Brown being fired, there’s a good chance Baker doesn’t sign early and takes his recruitment all the way until the normal National Signing Day date.

Top UNC football commit to visit Big Ten program

A top UNC football commit will visit a Big Ten program this weekend.

The North Carolina Tar Heels made the decision to move on from head coach Mack Brown this week, ending the second stint in Chapel Hill for the legendary coach. With that decision, a new era of football will be ushered in for the program.

But there will also be ramifications in terms of recruits leaving. The Tar Heels already lost one recruit on Tuesday and while it’s been quiet with others so far, that could change.

One recruit UNC would love to keep is four-star quarterback Bryce Baker, a rising prospect in the 2025 class and the Tar Heels’ highest-ranked recruit at the moment. Baker is still committed to North Carolina but the prospect is hearing from other teams and this weekend he will visit d:

A visit is not a great thing but Baker’s father, Mike, told Rivals that his son is still committed to North Carolina. They want to see what the new coaching staff has in place for Baker.

“Bryce remains 100% committed to UNC and hopes his future college football days will be spent in Chapel Hill,” Baker’s father Mike said to Rivals.com. “He has a great relationship with Coach Chip Lindsey who he hopes will be on the coaching staff of the new incoming head coach and who has been an incredible mentor, regardless of the uncertainty surrounding his status following Coach Brown’s departure.

“That said, Bryce may explore visits to other universities to ensure he has options, just in case the new coaching staff does not have him in their plans.”

Baker is a prized recruit who is the future of the quarterback position for North Carolina. Now, they have the tough task of keeping him committed during this change.

Baker is also considering a visit to LSU as well.

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Programs likely to re-recruit UNC football’s top 2025 commit

How will UNC’s top Class of 2025 football recruit be affected by the Mack Brown firing?

Big news shook the North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday, with athletic director Bubba Cunningham announcing the firing of head football coach Mack Brown.

This move comes a day after Brown announced he wants to return in 2025. Fans don’t feel the same way, though, fed up with Brown’s coaching letdowns throughout UNC’s current season.

One of the greatest areas affected by a coaching chance is a team’s recruiting cycle: and for North Carolina, that could include the de-commitment of its top Class of 2025 player.

Bryce Baker, a 4-star quarterback from East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, NC who’s leading his team through an undefeated season and playoff run, is the commit in question.

Look at what Baker’s father, Michael, had to say about Brown’s firing and Bryce’s future:

“We need to talk as family to process this unfortunate news,” Michael Baker told On3 Sports’ Steve Wiltfong. “We’ll speak as a family tonight with Bryce to figure out what Bryce’s future will look like.”

If Baker decides to de-commit, he wouldn’t be the first to do so from the Tar Heels.

On Tuesday afternoon, Class of 2026 edge rusher Zavion-Griffin Haynes re-opened his recruitment. Days before Brown’s firing, 2025 4-star offensive tackle Alex Payne announced he was doing the same.

Baker announced his commitment to North Carolina back in June 2023. East Forsyth is just under 90 minutes from Kenan Stadium – and I can’t imagine passing up the opportunity to play in your home state, despite a coaching change.

If you want the full scoop on UNC commitments and de-commitments, make sure you follow along with our tracker.

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One of UNC’s top 2025 football commits has four touchdowns in Friday Night blowout

UNC’s likely quarterback of the future shined under the Friday Night Lights yesterday, leading his team to a massive win with four touchdown passes.

Could Class of 2025, 4-star quarterback commit Bryce Baker be exactly what the North Carolina Tar Heels need to turn their football program around?

If we’re pointing to Baker’s most recent game, the answer is a resounding yes.

Baker, one of UNC’s three in-state commits in the Class of 2025, led the East Forsyth Eagles to a resounding, 49-6 blowout victory over rival Glenn High School on Friday night.

In the win, Baker completed 16-of-21 passes for 224 yards and four touchdowns. He helped keep East Forsyth (9-0, 6-0), ranked ninth amongst ALL North Carolina high school football team, undefeated and atop the Central Piedmont 4A conference.

Baker’s talent and efficiency is on full display this season alone, as he’s completed 148-of-190 passes for 2,392 yards and 28 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. Baker averages 265.8 yards per game, 16.4 yards per completion and a near-perfect passer rating of 154.3.

Through not even two full varsity seasons, Baker has 5,474 passing yards and 67 touchdowns.

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Baker is an integral part of what’s currently a 12-man, 2025 recruiting class for North Carolina. He’s one of the Tar Heels’ two 4-star commits, along with Gainesville, Ga.-based offensive tackle Alex Payne, who’ll be protecting Baker in Chapel Hill.

With Jacolby Criswell running out of eligibility after this season, plus no guarantee Max Johnson will be ready to start after the broken leg he suffered in Week 1, UNC could be thin at quarterback in 2025.

That’s where Baker and his proven talent come into the picture. I expect he’ll push Conner Harrell for the starting gig next season. If Johnson returns from his broken leg, North Carolina will have yet another exciting quarterback competition on its hands.

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Two UNC football recruits move up in Rivals250 update

The 2024 Rivals250 list has been released and UNC football finds two future superstars in the reveal.

The UNC football recruiting adventure has felt like a roller coaster. However, good news is on the horizon as the team boasts two players listed in the update reveal of Rival’s top 250 prospects in the Class of 2025.

In the Class of 2024, freshman wide receiver Jordan Shipp, cornerback Zion Ferguson, safety Ty’Shun White, and wide receiver Alex Taylor all made the list of Rivals Top 250 of last year for Tar Heel football.

The two players who are on the list as seniors in high school this year are quarterback Bryce Baker and offensive tackle Alex Payne.

Baker finds himself as the No. 79 ranked player on the list up 76 spots. The 6-foot-2 quarterback from East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, North Carolina is a four-star product on 247sports. He is the No. 11 ranked QB in the class and the No. 5 ranked player out of NC.

With two quarterbacks on the roster transfer graduates, Baker has a good shot at winning the quarterback job next year.

Payne is the No. 178 ranked player on Rivals which is up 47 spots. Payne is also a four-star recruit on 247sports out of Gainesville High in Gainesville, Georgia. He is the No. 11 ranked tackle in the class and the No. 15 ranked player out of Georgia.

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UNC football commit Bryce Baker earns fourth star, boost in rankings

North Carolina Tar Heels’ quarterback Bryce Baker earned a fourth star and moved up the 247Sports recruiting rankings.

It’s been a big week for North Carolina quarterback Bryce Baker in terms of recruiting stock.

After he climbed into the top 100 in the On3 updated rankings, he’s moving up in the latest 247Sports recruiting rankings. The updated rankings for the top 247 players in the 2025 class were released on Wednesday and among the biggest movers was Baker.

In the previous update, he was outside of the top 247 players and now he has climbed to No. 160. With that update and jump in the rankings, he went from a three-star player to a four-star player, which is great news fro the Tar Heels and the 2025 class.

Here is what national recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins had to say about Baker moving into the rankings:

Baker made some noise an Elite 11 regional outside of Atlanta in April, but he really cemented himself as one of the more promising signal-callers in the class at the Elite 11 Finals. The dual-threat talent was consistent all three days and was one of the best at distributing on the move. A deep dive back into the 11th-grade tape also has us bullish on his potential as there weren’t many turnover-worthy passes.

North Carolina currently has 12 commitments in the 2025 class which ranks No. 50 nationally. This likely won’t be the only boost Baker gets in his ranking as he still has his senior season ahead of him.

A big year should help UNC’s class ranking overall, as will some other recruits committing.

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