Sam Howell, North Carolina Football News: Draft Scout Player News

Draft Scout College Football Player News

08/28/19 - QB Sam Howell, So/2023, North Carolina, (DS#1 QB)

Sam Howell went from being a Florida State recruit to starting at North Carolina in rapid fashion. Now the Tar Heels are ready to find out how he handles game pressure in his first college snaps. Howell will start Saturday against South Carolina in Charlotte, with the school saying he's believed to be the first true freshman to start a season opener in program history. That followed the four-star recruit flipping his commitment from FSU in December, enrolling at UNC in January then finishing on top of a three-way battle for the starting job in preseason camp.

"I'm a calm guy, I usually stay pretty calm," Howell said. "But I'll be honest: yeah, there is going to be some nerves. I'm not scared or anything like that, but it is a big stage. It's a stage I really haven't been on before. But I'm confident in myself, I'm confident in my team and I know my teammates have got my back." The only public look at Howell in Longo's offense came in the spring game, with him completing 10 of 16 passes for 131 yards and a perfectly thrown deep ball for a 42-yard score. Still, South Carolina coach Will Muschamp said the Gamecocks know plenty about him; they recruited him, too. "He's got arm talent, set all kinds of records in high school," Muschamp said. "A guy that's got ability to run the ball. He's a competitor, a battler. He can make all the throws as far as the touch throws. He can zip it. We've got a lot of respect for Sam." - AP College Football

(DS#1 QB) So/2023