Penn State to host top 10 QB, North Carolina commit after legendary head coach’s firing

James Franklin and Penn State football may have the opportunity to land a top-end quarterback talent in the closing days before the early National Signing Period. In the wake of National Championship-winning head coach Mack Brown’s firing at North Carolina, the Nittany Lions will host 2025 Tar Heels commit Bryce Baker this Saturday for the regular season finale against Maryland.

Brown, the winningest coach in Tar Heels history and one of three active head coaches with a national title, was relieved of his duties on Tuesday. The news of Baker’s visit to Happy Valley was first reported Wednesday morning by On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

🚨NEWS🚨 North Carolina 4-star QB commit Bryce Baker is set to visit Penn State this weekend, per @SWiltfong_🦁

Read: https://t.co/veTonqq629 pic.twitter.com/cjsp9PRJQ7

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) November 27, 2024

From Kernersville, North Carolina, Bryce Baker has been committed to the Tar Heels since June 2023. A four-star prospect and an Elite 11 Finalist, Baker is the No. 8 quarterback and the No. 81 overall player in the 247Sports Composite for the 2025 recruiting class.

Baker holds an offer from James Franklin and the Nittany Lions, but has never visited State College. However, Baker does share some ties with the Penn State football staff. The signal caller at East Forsyth High School, Baker attends the same school where Nittany Lions quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien is an alumnus.

Penn State football has one quarterback commit already for the 2025 cycle: Chaminade-Madonna Prep (FL) three-star Bekkem Kritza.

Officially one week from early National Signing Day, the Nittany Lions have the No. 15 class in the country.

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