Prized QB recruit Bryce Baker locks in with Bill Belichick and North Carolina

Bill Belichick and the new coaching staff at North Carolina have quickly scored their first big win on the recruiting trail.

Keeping prized quarterback prospect Bryce Baker in the fold.

The Kernersville (NC) East Forsyth blue-chipper told On3 on Friday that he would stick and sign with UNC, honoring a commitment he gave to the previous staff on June 27, 2023. He went public with his plans on Saturday after visiting with Belichick and company in Chapel Hill.

Baker talked with Belichick for the first time during a 3:30 pm Zoom call on Thursday.

“I just feel like with Belichick coming in they can provide that next-level development I didn’t have the opportunity to have with other options I was looking at,” Baker said. “Belichick coming from the NFL and the first-hand experience he has for what it takes to be the best. 

“I trust in his development and interest to get me where I want to be.”

The On3 Industry tabs Baker as the nation’s No. 10 quarterback and No. 93 prospect overall. The Elite 11 Finalists had a terrific senior season completing 75 percent of his passes for 3,523 yards and 40 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He added 303 more yards on the ground and six more scores.

The 6-foot-2 1/4, 200-pound Baker took a visit to Penn State at the end of November and also had dialogue with LSU as he waited to see who would replace Mack Brown at North Carolina. The first conversation with Belichick sealed the deal.

“I asked all the hard questions I wanted,” Baker said. “Asked a lot of serious questions. Not just about me, but plan for the team, recruiting. 

“I asked him about his plans to change the culture at North Carolina. He just explained how he was going to run it like an NFL place. 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. I think that’s going to help with the culture shift.”

The four-star Baker likes the plan for himself as well.

“I love competition,” Baker said. “He may bring in one other quarterback as a gap quarterback as I prepare but I feel they’re all invested in me.”

And with that, Baker is vested in Belichick and North Carolina.

“That’s the main reasons me going to North Carolina,” Baker said. “I can get developed there. I want to build my legacy in North Carolina at the University of North Carolina.”