Coastal Confessions: Recapping the 2011 North Carolina Spring Game

Reviewing the spring games for each of the Hokies' division rivals. Previously: Duke, Virginia. The rest of the schedule: Miami - April 16; Georgia Tech - April 23.

Bryn Renner was 9-for-13 for 123 yards and a touchdown to highlight what could loosely be described as a spring game for North Carolina Saturday. The Tar Heels' spring game was more of a controlled scrimmage, lasting about 50 plays and one hour.

Renner, like Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas, is a highly touted Virginia-bred quarterback who's taking over for a four-year starter as a sophomore. Unlike Thomas, he's more mobile than his predecessor and was reportedly able to move the pocket and extend plays with his mobility in Saturday's scrimmage.

The highlight for Renner Saturday was a 43-yard touchdown pass to Erik Highsmith early in the day. Senior receiver Dwight Jones added 56 yards on four catches. However, Inside Carolina reports Renner and freshman quarterback Marquise Williams were able to take advantage of a depleted secondary that was without cornerback Charles Brown.

With Renner, three solid wide receivers and running back Ryan Houston returning for the Tar Heels, the pressure will be on its young defense to improve. The Tar Heels lose a lot of talent from last year's defense and will need to get better, especially in the secondary, to compete in the Coastal Division.

Junior Defensive tackle Sylvester Williams, a juco transfer, was one player who stood out on defense for the Heels. Defensive end Quinton Coples led them with five tackles.

Additional Reading

Inside Carolina: Inside the Scrimmage
WRAL: Renner Stars in UNC Spring Game
Raleigh News-Observer: Renner Shines in Heels' Spring Scrimmage