BREAKING: Five-Star Quarterback Bryce Baker Flips Commitment to West Virginia Mountaineers
In a stunning and unprecedented recruiting coup for the program, West Virginia University has landed the signature of the nation’s top-ranked high school football player. **Bryce Baker**, the electrifying five-star dual-threat quarterback from Charlotte, North Carolina, announced today he is decommitting from the University of Oregon and will instead sign with the West Virginia Mountaineers.
The announcement, made via a live social media stream from his high school, sends shockwaves through the college football world. Baker, the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2025 according to 247Sports Composite rankings, had been committed to the Ducks since June, seen as the crown jewel of their highly-touted class. His decision to spurn the national powerhouse for Morgantown is being hailed as the most significant recruiting victory in West Virginia football history.
“For me, this decision was about trust, opportunity, and legacy,” Baker said, donning a West Virginia hat as he spoke. “My relationship with Coach [Neal] Brown, [offensive coordinator] Chad Scott, and the entire staff never wavered. They believe in me as a player and a person, and I believe in what we can build together in the Big 12. I want to lead this program back to the top.”
For Head Coach Neal Brown, who entered the 2024 season on a hot seat only to engineer a resurgent 9-4 campaign culminating in a New Year’s Six bowl appearance, this flip is a monumental validation of his long-term vision. Securing a talent of Baker’s caliber—a 6’3″, 215-pound playmaker with a cannon arm and elite rushing ability—transforms the immediate and long-term trajectory of the program.
“This is a program-altering moment, without question,” said recruiting analyst Brandon Huffman. “West Virginia has never landed the No. 1 player in America. For Bryce Baker to choose WVU over Oregon, with all its resources and recent success, speaks volumes about the culture Neal Brown has built and the potent offensive system they’ve sold him on. This isn’t just a win; it’s a declaration.”
Analysts point to West Virginia’s offensive scheme, which has flourished under quarterback Garrett Greene, as a perfect fit for Baker’s skill set. The promise of immediate playing time as a freshman and the chance to be the charismatic face of a resurgent Mountaineer program in an expanding Big 12 proved irresistible.
The ramifications are immense. Baker’s commitment instantly rockets West Virginia’s 2025 recruiting class into the national top 20, a rare feat for the program. Perhaps more importantly, it serves as a beacon to other elite recruits that Morgantown is a destination for championship aspirations. The “flip” itself—stealing a player from a glamour program—carries a psychological weight that energizes the entire fanbase and roster.
While Oregon scrambles to assess the damage, celebration has erupted across West Virginia. Bryce Baker is more than a quarterback; he is a symbol of renewed ambition and proof that the Mountaineers can compete on the very biggest stage of college football: the recruiting trail. His commitment marks the dawn of a new, highly anticipated era in Morgantown.
