2019 UNC Football Preview: Quarterback

We preview the quarterback position for the UNC Football team as they get set to open up the season on August 31 vs. South Carolina

One position where the North Carolina Tar Heels have struggled to find consistency at in the past two seasons has been at quarterback. Since Mitchell Trubisky left for the NFL following the 2016 season, UNC has had six different players start games under center for the program.

In 2019, they could have a new starter when they open up Week 1 against South Carolina in Charlotte depending on who wins the job. But no matter what happens, the Week 1 quarterback will be inexperienced.

Freshman Sam Howell will battle it out with redshirt freshmen Jace Ruder and Cade Fortin for that starting job as training camp continues in August and so far, there really hasn’t been one guy that has separated themselves. Instead, the race has been tight leading up to a big decision for new head coach Mack Brown and offensive coordinator Phil Longo.

Let’s take a look at the position preview for quarterback:

WHAT WE KNOW

Well, we really don’t know who will start at quarterback this season for the Tar Heels but we do know it’s a three-man race. Ruder, Howell and Fortin are all battling it out for that starting spot right now.

Only Fortin and Ruder have experience at the college level which may give one of them an early advantage. But talent-wise, Howell might be the best on this roster.

All three quarterbacks are new to this offense and are learning it this offseason. There is going to be some bumps in the road and barring any big surprises, there should be some struggle moments early on in the season.

What UNC does need is consistency. No matter who wins the job, there needs to be consistency at the position. If that happens, it could help lead to a big turnaround for this offense and in the end, the program.

The Tar Heels didn’t host their first scrimmage until August 10th and Brown expects that’s when one quarterback could find an advantage. This is from News and Observer’s Jonathan Alexander wrote this earlier in August following a practice:

"Brown said he hasn’t seen much separation among the three quarterbacks — Ruder, Sam Howell and Fortin — who are battling to be the starter.He said all three are performing well, and he doesn’t expect one to separate from the others until they begin to scrimmage.“Because it’s easier in a scrimmage, when you’re moving the ball and scoring points to see who has got the best grasp of the team and the leadership,” Brown said."

It’s also very possible we won’t know the starter until a few days before the August 31st opener vs. South Carolina. And it could very well be neck-and-neck until then.

THE KEY PLAYERS

Sam Howell

Howell was the prized recruit of the 2019 class for the Tar Heels, committing to UNC in the Early National Signing Day period back in November. Once a Florida State commit, the four-star quarterback flipped his decision and ended up joining Brown and Longo’s new Air Raid offense instead.

His skill set is ideal for what UNC wants to do on offense: A passing offense out of the shotgun that is designed to take chances when needed and move the ball down the field by airing it out.

If the freshman does not win the starting job for Week 1 expect to see him on the field and probably a lot in 2019. He’s just too talented to keep on the bench and if this team struggles at the position from the start, a move to Howell would make sense.

2018 stats: N/A

Jace Ruder

The Kansas product was ranked as the No. 15 dual-threat quarterback in the nation and the No. 336 overall player in the 2018 class. At 6-foot-3, 225-pounds Ruder has good size for the quarterback position and is quicker than he looks.

He began the 2018 season fourth on the depth chart behind Nathan Elliott, Chazz Surratt, and Cade Fortin but did appear in some games. With UNC trailing in their homecoming game vs. Georgia Tech in November, Ruder entered the game and made a quick first impression.

The quarterback completed 4 of his 5 passing attempts for 80 yards and a touchdown pass. His lone incompletion came on a dropped pass by Anthony Ratliff-Williams. He also showed off his wheels, rushing for 21 yards on 3 attempts. However, his debut was short-lived as he suffered a shoulder injury after scrambling for a 12-yard gain.

2018 stats: 3/4, 80 yards, 1 touchdown, 21 rushing yards.

Cade Fortin

While Ruder was recruited as a dual-threat quarterback, Fortin was a Pro-Style quarterback in the 2018 class.

With UNC struggling early on in the season, they turned to Fortin late in the loss vs. ECU. He was 3 of 6 for 15 yards but in the blowout loss, he was a talking point as a potential future quarterback with the ongoing struggles of Surratt and Elliott.

Fortin saw action in a total of four games last season, starting vs. Virginia Tech, and the season-finale vs. N.C. State while also appearing in games vs. ECU and Duke. He played well in the disappointing loss to Virginia Tech, completing 10-of-18 attempts for 97 yards and added 44 rushing yards. In the finale vs. the Wolfpack, he was 19-of-40 for 276 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Fortin’s strengths are his arm as he can make the short, medium and deep throws. However, his accuracy does need some work and will be a focal point in this competition.

2018 stats: 32/65, 388 yards, 1 touchdown, 76 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown.

OUTLOOK

It’s hard to say what to expect from quarterback this season but I have a feeling we will see at least two different starters at the position this year. And possibly see all three start a game.

That Week 1 game against South Carolina will be one to watch in terms of playing time, especially if this battle continues to be neck-and-neck down to the wire. Brown very well could name a starter but also give reps to the other guys, especially if one struggles.

Ideally, you would really like for one player to grab a hold of the starting job and keep it all season long. Good play from the quarterback position will go a long way for the success of this team in 2019.

DEPTH CHART

• STARTER: TBD (Sam Howell, Cade Fortin, Jace Ruder)
• BACKUP: TBD (Sam Howell, Cade Fortin, Jace Ruder)
• RESERVES: Donovan Brewington, Vincent Amendola