Penn State Football’s Top QB Flip Target Visiting Happy Valley This weekend
Wednesday, Penn State Football took a huge step at positioning itself to bolster its quarterback class in 2025, setting up an official visit for UNC commit Bryce Baker for this weekend’s game against Maryland, per On3Sports’ Steve Wilfong.
Bryce Baker is ranked as the number eight quarterback and the No. 81 overall player in the 2025 class according to the 247Sports composite rankings and has been committed to the Tarheels since June 2023.
However, with Mack Brown’s firing in Chappel Hill, Penn State saw an opportunity to potentially flip the talented signal caller.
What Baker could bring Penn State Football
According to 247Sports’ director of scouting Andrew Ivins, Baker is a “mobile signal caller with a muscled-up build that will throw his receivers open.” Ivins continued that Baker has “lower-body twitch” that “allows him to escape pressure and extend plays” who “should be viewed as a potential multi-year starter at the Power Four level.”
At 6-foot-2.5, 195 pounds, Baker possesses a good frame for the next level and has athleticism as a two-sport athlete (basketball). In 2024, Baker passed for 3,099 yards and 36 touchdowns and added 343 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Where Penn State’s quarterback class stands
Penn State’s quarterback situation in the 2025 class has been in question this season after lone quarterback commit three-star Bekkem Kritza was benched and transferred schools during his senior season.
Kritza is ranked as the number 36 quarterback and the number 612 recruit nationally in 247Sports composite rankings. Between his stops at two schools this season, Kritza has passed for 1,126 yards and 16 touchdowns. Although Kritza has the tools and potential to be a contributor at the college level, he is still very unproven on the field moving between three high schools in the past two seasons and having limited playing time in that stretch.
Penn State Football had looked at other quarterbacks in the class to add a second quarterback commit to pair with Kritza, but so far has been unsuccessful in that pursuit. Penn State recently had Missouri quarterback commit Matt Zollers on campus for a visit during the Ohio State game, but was not able to flip the in-state target.
Now, Penn State will have another opportunity at a major flip with Baker’s visit this weekend.
Penn State’s quarterback room has a big question mark ahead of 2025, with the ultimate question being whether star quarterback Drew Allar will return for his senior season at Penn State.
The junior signal-caller has been among the best in the nation in 2024, passing for 2,497 yards and 17 touchdowns with a 72.2 percent completion percentage. Allar will have a huge decision on whether to return for another season or test the NFL draft waters, where his 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame will certainly intrigue NFL scouts.
Allar has elevated his game to another level this season, increasing his completion percentage by 13 points and increasing his yards per attempt and QB efficiency rate (which have been among the best in the nation).
If Allar does return in 2025, Bryce Baker would be a luxury for Penn State, with a full quarterback room with Allar at the top and talented backups Beau Pribula and Ethan Grunkemeyer waiting in the wings. If Allar does not return, Penn State will certainly be in need of additional depth at the position, making Baker a priority recruit for the Nittany Lions.
For part of the 2024 season, the Nittany Lions were down to two healthy quarterbacks (after Allar was injured against Wisconsin). James Franklin and the Nittany Lions will certainly want to increase the numbers in the quarterback room if possible ahead of the 2025 season and Baker would be a high-potential option for the Nittany Lions.
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