Bryce Baker's collegiate debut shows UNC what they missed out on

We all remember how Bryce Baker was the blue-chip quarterback prospect that UNC had extremely high hopes for.

While he committed originally to Mack Brown, Bill Belichick wasted no time getting in touch with him to make a pitch to help bring him to Chapel Hill. That pitch worked, as we all remember Belichick and Baker being courted out during a UNC basketball game at the Dean Smith Center, but that sadly was the biggest highlight of the Baker era at North Carolina.

Baker did not see the field in his true freshman season and decided to transfer to Virginia Tech this offseason. The guy who many believed was the future face of the Tar Heels is now a Hokie, and his debut certainly didn't disappoint.

Bryce Baker shows out in his collegiate debut for Virginia Tech

It's important to note two things.

First, Baker did not win the starting quarterback job out of training camp, as junior Ethan Grunkemeyer won the gig to start the season.

Second, no offense to VMI, but the strength of opponent for Virginia Tech in their season opener was... let's just say, not good.

Anywho...

Baker came into the game to relieve Grunkemeyer and got some quality reps in. He completed 10 of his 12 pass attempts for 127 yards, connecting with Chanz Wiggins on the 40-yard score for his first touchdown pass at the college level.

Virginia Tech dominated, as they didn't slow down after their 45-0 advantage at the half, scoring 28 more points in the second half to win the game by a score of 73-3.

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Baker looked the part in his first college action, showing poise and confidence. He made the smart reads and connected on the shots he took down the field, as experience like he got in Week 1 should help him improve and grow as time goes on.

Of course, we'll have to wait and see how his career pans out, as it's not a guarantee that he's going to end up being a star. However, it is okay to think about the "what if," wondering what type of role he would've played in this particular quarterback room.

Could he have competed for the starting QB job, or was he bound to be buried on the depth chart?

Of course, no one is rooting against Baker (unless he's playing against UNC, of course), but his short time in Chapel Hill will always be remembered as the hype rather than what occurred on the actual field. We didn't get a chance to see what he could do, and there probably is a reason why he wasn't thrown into the fire last season when UNC's quarterback room was a complete disaster, but now his journey continues at Virginia Tech, one that might have Tar Heel faithful regretting that the program let him walk when he shows just what he's capable of doing.

Good for Baker getting his first collegiate experience. He's earned the right to show what he can do, and now we all wait and see if he can challenge for more playing time this season.

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