QB Rankings: A Closer Look At #1 QB Sam Howell

With the off-season upon us we will be removing the players that have moved on to the NFL from our player rankings and re-ranking for the 2021 season. Before we jump into Sam Howell being ranked number one, here’s a few reminders about the rankings themselves:

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football QB Rankings here.

North Carolina quarterback, Sam Howell holds the top spot in our rankings to start the 2021 season after finishing the 2020 season in the sixth spot. The five prospects that were ranked ahead of him will be moving on to the NFL. Howell has been the starting quarterback at North Carolina for two years now and had done plenty to earn the top spot in the rankings. He excelled in 2020 and actually led our ACC Quarterback Leaderboard for the season.

A Prolific First Two Seasons

As a true freshman, Sam Howell wowed the college football world with his impressive play. He completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,641 yards with 38 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions. Howell was instrumental in helping Mack Brown re-energize the Tar Heels’ football program and leading them to a 7 – 6 season in which the Heels never lost by more than one score. North Carolina had went 2 – 9 the year before, so this was a big improvement.

In 2020, Howell was even better. No longer a true freshman, he had the attention of every defensive coordinator North Carolina faced, but it didn’t matter. Howell was more comfortable in the offense and it showed. The star signal caller completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,586 yards and 30 touchdowns with 7 interceptions. Howell ran for five more touchdowns as he showed off his running ability more often as a sophomore. North Carolina continued to improve finishing 8 – 4 and appearing in a New Year’s Six Bowl.

Howell’s Many Talents

Sam Howell has all of the tools that make a great quarterback. He has quick feet and sound footwork in the pocket and when he is on the move. He navigates the pocket well, feeling pressure around him and using subtle movements to avoid it when possible. Howell has the athleticism to escape the pocket and does a good job of keeping his eyes down field and his feet in position to make the throw as soon as he spots an open receiver. Howell’s release is a little long, as he does have a bit of a wind up, but other than that his mechanics are sound.

He has the arm talent to make every throw on the field. Howell is very accurate with his throws and shows excellent ball placement, particularly on deep throws. He throws a pretty deep ball, that has good touch and velocity. The ball does not hang in the air, but arcs over the defense and drops into his receiver’s hands. He displays excellent accuracy and zip when throwing over the middle of the field, fitting the ball in tight windows easily. Howell can make every throw, accurately and with the proper touch or zip needed, making it very difficult for defensive backs to make a play on.

Howell is an intelligent quarterback who quickly reads the defense and usually makes quick decisions with the football. He is decisive when throwing the football, resulting in on time throws that give the offense a big advantage against the defense. Howell is comfortable coming off his first read and finding another target, but sometimes he does trust his arm too much and try to muscle the ball into coverage where he probably shouldn’t. That gunslinger mentality is not uncommon among great quarterbacks and more times than not, Howell is able to make the play anyway.

There is little on the football field that Sam Howell cannot do. He is a good athlete at the quarterback position and can run for first downs when he needs to. Howell does a good job of finding his receivers and has the ability to deliver the football as well as any quarterback in college football. He is tough in the pocket and will hang in to make the throw even with defenders bearing down on him. His toughness and never say die attitude make him someone his teammates are eager to follow and fight for.

New Weapons To Lead In 2021

North Carolina lost quite a few weapons off the 2020 team. Both leading rushers and the top two receivers from the 2020 season have declared for the NFL Draft, leaving Howell with a new and unproven group of weapons. That does not mean the cupboard is bare in Chapel Hill, Mack Brown has done an excellent job recruiting and has quality young talent on the roster itching for the opportunity to prove what they can do. With a star quarterback to guide the new starters at the skill positions, North Carolina should adjust quickly and keep rolling in 2021.

Howell is the best quarterback in college football heading into the 2021 season. He will make things easier on the receivers with his ball placement and understanding of the offense. His reputation and effectiveness as a passer will allow the new running backs to run at a lighter box and get situated. Expectations have always been high for Sam Howell at North Carolina, but he’s never failed to live up to them.

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Kenan Memorial Stadium at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill image taken by William Yeaung is licensed under CC BY 2.0.