Clemson quarterback transfer Kelly Bryant is expected to visit North Carolina this weekend, sources confirmed to Inside Carolina. The Tar Heels host Virginia Tech on Saturday night at Kenan Stadium.

According to sources, the UNC staff has been in contact with Bryant since he decided to leave Clemson a couple weeks ago and subsequently received his release.

Bryant has one year of eligibility remaining -- for the 2019 college football season. North Carolina has a home game against Clemson on its 2019 schedule.

The 6-3, 225-pound Calhoun Falls, S.C. native was 16-2 as a starter for Clemson. After two seasons behind star Deshaun Watson, Bryant started all 14 games in the 2017 season for a Clemson team that reached the national semifinals. He passed last season for 2,802 yards and 13 touchdowns, with eight interceptions, completing 65.8 percent of his passes. He was also a running threat, with 665 yards and 11 touchdowns on 192 carries. For his exploits, Bryant was named one of 11 finalists for the Manning Award, which goes to the nation's top quarterback.

Bryant started the first four games for Clemson this season, though split snaps with freshman sensation Trevor Lawrence. He passed for 461 yards with a 66.7 completion percentage, recording two touchdowns and one interception, and rushed for 130 yards and two scores. Upon being informed that Lawrence would start game No. 5, Bryant opted to leave the program.

“I feel like it's what's best for me and my future,” Bryant told The Greenville News on Sept. 26 when announcing his decision to transfer. “I was just going to control what I could control and try to make the most of my opportunity, but at the end of the day, I just don't feel like I’ve gotten a fair shot.”

“I’ve been with this senior class for four years. Seeing how much we built and poured into this program, it's tough to walk away from it,” Bryant said. “But at the same time, I’ve got to do what’s best for me. And I feel like this is the best situation for me.”

Quarterback play has been at the heart of North Carolina's struggles the last two seasons. In 2017, UNC ranked 103rd nationally in passer rating (119.30) and is currently sitting at 125th (99.95) through four games this fall despite the offensive line ranking T-15th nationally in sacks allowed per game (1.0). UNC has a 4-12 record during that span.

Fourth-year junior Nathan Elliott has started all four games in 2018. Third-year junior Chazz Surratt returned from suspension to play several series in a loss to Miami last week, but will miss the rest of the season. True freshman Cade Fortin has appeared for one drive late in a blowout loss, but will see more snaps as the season progresses. UNC's quarterbacks have combined in 2018 to pass for 798 yards, with three touchdowns and seven interceptions.