Freshman Bryn Renner's considered North Carolina's quarterback of the future. Whether that future will be sooner than later, UNC coach Butch Davis doesn't know, he said Wednesday.
Davis said junior T.J. Yates is still the starter, but didn't rule out the possibility of using Renner, who is considered one of the best quarterback prospects nationally in his class.
Five games into the 2009 season, Renner, a 6-3, 195-pound freshman from West Springfield, Va., hasn't taken a snap. The plan had been to redshirt Renner but asked if Renner wouldn't play this season, Davis responded:
"Right now, I couldn't answer that. We don't have plans to, at this particular time."
Renner has dressed for every game but has not played. Braden Hanson, a redshirt freshman, is the only other player on the roster, listed at quarterback, who has taken a snap this season. Hanson was 0-for-2 with an interception in the second half of the season-opening win over The Citadel.
Hanson jumped sophomore Mike Paulus on the depth chart as Yates' backup in training camp. Paulus, who started one game in 2008, has yet to play. Freshman A.J. Blue, listed as a running back, has taken snaps at quarterback in each of the first five games.
With a lower Division I opponent this week, followed by a bye and 12 total days between games, if Renner is going to burn his redshirt, now would be the time.
If that's the case, Davis isn't saying.
"I hadn't thought about it," Davis said.
Comments
Not just the QB
Thu, 10/08/2009 - 12:48 — SurferThis whole issue is not necessarily just a QB problem. Case in point, a defensive back was good enough to do the job a number of years ago when UNC played State in Charlotte. Of course, I am not sure if State had the #1 defense in the country then either.
No reason for this
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 23:53 — Heels20The problems go deeper than QB or O-line. John Shoop has no idea how to call plays with the personnel we have. I've seen more embarrassing offensive lines (NC State 2006, any one?). I've seen MANY QBs who were less talented (Davis, Stone, Beck, Daly, Sexton of 2006, the list goes on). First of all, we need to throw that draw play out-of-shotgun Marc Trestman crap out of the playbook. If we're going to run it every time on first down, then insert Ryan Houston, and power it up the middle. Secondly, we have a 6'5'' receiver who is faster than most receivers in the conference. USE HIM. Highsmith has been our only hint of a deep threat all season. If we can stretch the field, that will open up the short game. Make those two adjustments, and we'll have an offense decent enough to get us through a season where the defense carries us. The season isn't over yet, but it will be if our coaches don't recognize the obvious issues that are right in front of them.
Not gonna happen
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 22:22 — JPDOhioI just can't see Butch burning this kid's redshirt this year. For what?
I just listened to the teleconference..
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 18:52 — UNC1998and JPG's questions didn't lead me to believe there was even a possibility of this happening. As a matter of fact, if anything it left me with the impression that since no thought had been given to the occurence...it was closer to an impossibility.
"Renner is said to be the
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 18:37 — AgentPierce"Renner is said to be the real deal."
******
And Mike Paulus was said to be "the saviour of John Bunting's program". And Ronald Curry was going to be Carl Torbush's "great one" ..... and there was Mike Thomas .... and in 1964 Danny Talbott was going to save Jim Hickey ..... we've had a bunch of'em over the years.
1964?
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 18:50 — UNC1998That's a good deal before my time, but your point is taken. That said Renner may very well be very good.
For all the great athletes
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 20:24 — AgentPierceFor all the great athletes that Carolina has indeed produced in a number of sports, QBs ain't one of'em. Just an oddity considering how many legitimate NFLers are UNC alums ..... no QB has ever been more than a taxi squader and darn few of those.
But, indeed, Renner could be the first. Sooner or later one might be. But to sacrifice him behind a cardboard O-line patched together with freshmen and walk-ons is not doing him any favors.
After the break next week, UNC plays legitimate teams the rest of the way. Getting to six Ws against 1-A competition is hard to imagine happening.
Caulton Tuder
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 21:21 — gvillegatrhe wrote an article on UNC's "lack of a QB through the times" this past sunday.
doesn't appear you need to go read it but some others may want to go archive it.
No Thanks
Thu, 10/08/2009 - 11:37 — heelsno1I will pass on your offer to read any more of CT's articles. As a rule, they lack substance, style and insightful information. Often, they are negative or downright cynical.
In the modern era (post "Choo-Choo"), it is true that UNC has not produced many great quarterbacks. Yet, Danny Talbot was surely one. Beating Ohio State on the road was a big deal in those days. Entering the 1966 season, he was on the short Heisman "watch list" but an ankle injury put an end to that. Durant was a top-notch QB, and so was Scott Stankevich (sp?). Mack Brown coached some decent QB's.
If you look at the top-5 all-time Division I statistical leaders in TD passes, passing efficiency and passing yardage, there is not a single ACC player named. Who is the best QB ever to play in Kenan Stadium? That one is easy...Joe Montana.
if you ask
Thu, 10/08/2009 - 11:51 — izzykareemthe current players, they might tell you "The Russell Wilson"
in the next 5 weeks or so
Thu, 10/08/2009 - 13:15 — gvillegatrthey'll tell ya Jacory Harris.
and right now, Riley Skinner is better that RW. score board.
Russell Wilson is a fine qb and baseball player..
Thu, 10/08/2009 - 12:07 — UNC1998Joe Montana is a multiple time World Champion.
While it's true UNC has never had a world beater qb, there's no rule saying it will never happen.
UNC's offensive problems are not totally due to qb play..
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 18:27 — UNC1998That said, when Yates graduates UNC's qb play may rise. Renner is said to be the real deal. My sincere hope is that he redshirts this year, and challenges for playing time next. UNC's offense should build on the 4th quarter of the UConn game as a plan for handling the o-line troubles. Five yard swing passes are equal to 5 yard runs. They work that way in the prostyle west coast offense of the Eagles. It wouldn't be veering that much from Davis' wish of a prostyle attack.
Strategic
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 13:01 — heelsno1If a veteran QB is running for his life every passing play, it makes no sense whatsoever to insert a rookie into that mix unless you absolutely have to do so because of injuries.
Unless the O-line steps up and makes vast improvement as a unit, this will be a losing fall campaign. Right now, they are simply pathetic.
Right
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 13:53 — SurferAgree with the running for his life assesment. Although T.J. did throw a couple in the dirt against G.T., I guess that was nerves. The Va. game I attribute to poor play calling and run blocking.
I am not ready to give up on the offense yet, they just need some positive consistency.
My hope last weekend for a first down on the first series was quickly shattered. Run, -2 yards; run, -2 yards; incomplete pass; punt. Sigh.......
renner?
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 12:08 — izzykareemdo you want UNCCH to be the first team to have negative total yards for a game? (maybe someone has already had that dubious distinction but i don't think in the modern era).
Or did you mean Renner playing left tackle?
huh
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 12:46 — gvillegatrwhy would you say that? have you seen the future. i'd like to rent you out if that is the case. maybe a trip to Vegas? ...
come on gville...
Wed, 10/07/2009 - 16:12 — izzykareemtrue freshman?? No offensive line?? No running game?? Unless the guy runs a 4.2 - 40 and UNCCH is going to an Army/Navy style ground attack, he's gonna get toasted. I'm saying this for his own safety of course.
Have you seen a different team playing somehwere who wears bashful blue and is some kind of offensive juggernaut?