Heel Tough Blog: Bryce Baker Becomes 2nd Tar Heel QB to Enter the Transfer Portal

CBS Sports

It’s been a busy day for the UNC football program, starting with the expected hire of Bobby Petrino as the new offensive coordinator, after Freddie Kitchens was hired after one season on the job. But that’s not the only big news on the offensive side of the football, as shortly after that news broke, freshman QB Bryce Baker announced his decision to enter the transfer portal, after one season in Chapel Hill. Baker was the prize recruit of Belichick’s initial recruiting class last December, but failed to see any action in 2025, even with all the issues at QB for the offense. Even in the lone blowout win over Richmond, UNC opted to play fellow freshman Au’Touri Newkirk over Baker, who threw one pass, which was intercepted. 

Bryce Baker, a former four-star recruit and in-state prospect, stayed committed to UNC after firing Mack Brown and bringing in Bill Belichick after a long, storied career in the NFL. He arrived at UNC as a top-100 player and had his sights set on following in the footsteps of Sam Howell and Drake Maye, but that’s no longer the vision for him. 

Baker now becomes the second UNC QB transfer this offseason, joining Max Johnson, who entered the portal shortly after the season came to an end. It’s unclear if UNC will look to move off of Gio Lopez, who struggled in his first season after arriving from South Alabama. It’s believed that Lopez signed a two-year deal for roughly $2 million per year when he arrived in Chapel Hill, which might complicate UNC’s ability or desire to move off of him. Belichick might be intrigued about what Gio could look like in Bobby Petrino’s offense, but the need to bring in competition is as high as it’s ever been, with Bryce Baker, a former four-star recruit, set to depart from the UNC program. Travis Burgess may have been the guy to push, but after suffering a torn ACL, it’s unknown when he’ll be able to compete in contact drills in 2026. 

Heel Tough Blog Podcast: