In a state where finding quarterbacks with elite traits is difficult, Bryce Baker left North Carolina. The former four-star leaves Chapel Hill with four years of eligibility remaining. He has a high ceiling but no experience. The team that gives Baker a home will need to exercise patience.
UNC QB Bryce Baker Leaves Program: Five Best Landing Spots
Baker stands six-foot-three and weighs 205 pounds. Some scouts call him “a puppy with big paws.” This means he has room to grow, physically and developmentally. He spent one year sitting and likely won’t want to do that again. His new team shouldn’t expect to contend for a College Football Playoff next season. Baker owns all the traits, from arm strength to mobility. Yet, he is far from a finished product.
Colorado State
Jim Mora is in his first season in Fort Collins and needs to revamp the roster. Transfers, graduation, and a frightening lack of talent beset the team. Baker could conceivably win the job in the spring after acclimating to the altitude and environment.
Playing a year for the Rams doesn’t tie him to the school long-term. At this point, he just needs reps and to get up to game speed. By the same token, playing in an exciting offense would draw positive attention. The program hasn’t received much attention over the last 20 years.
Wake Forest
Jake Dickert, in his first year at Wake, transformed the team’s culture and results. Once considered a thankless Power Four job, Dickert modernized the program on both sides of the ball. He infused speed into a program that needed it.
Baker grew up in Kernersville, N.C., so staying in-state would be a bonus. Despite an eight-win season and a bowl bid, the Demon Deacons’ offense struggled in the passing game. They ranked 87th in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric.
Connecticut
Floating as an independent, UConn presents Baker an opportunity. In a state focused solely on basketball, there is absolutely zero pressure. The Huskies just hired Toledo’s Jason Candle, a coach with a resume filled with championships. As an offensive mind, Candle could bring Baker along at the pace of his offense. Both could thrive in a system that needs star power.
Washington State
Long known for prolific passing, the Cougars could slot Baker into the offense. Their spread attack lets him throw the ball around. The signal caller can help usher in a new era of Pac-12 football. After years of teetering on the brink of extinction, the conference returns with ten teams. These teams want to throw the ball up and down the field, spurring WSU to act. To keep up, they need to hit the ground running with an uptempo attack.
Temple
In his first season, head coach KC Keeler struggled to a 5-7 record with the 69th-ranked offense in FBS. Keeler wants to run the spread but at a slow pace, choosing timing over tempo.
Baker would flourish with the opportunity to complete high-percentage passes in screens. This would build his confidence before he attempts tighter throws. Of all the offenses on the list, the Owls present the most quarterback-friendly scheme. This scheme will maximize Baker’s talents.
