UNC Football: Sam Howell named to Manning Award watch list

UNC Football quarterback Sam Howell was named to another Manning Award watch list ahead of the 2020 college football season

Another day and another watch list for UNC Football standout Sam Howell as he and his teammates prepare for the upcoming 2020 college football season.

The sophomore quarterback has already been named to the Maxwell Award Watch list last week,  as well as the Davey O’Brien award watch list, and was even one of the Top 50 returning players per 247 Sports. And now he adds another one to the list.

On Thursday, Howell was named to the Manning Award preseason watch list, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The quarterback was 1 of 30 quarterbacks to be named to the preseason watch list which honors the top quarterback in the nation.

Howell is coming off one of the best true freshman seasons in college football history back in 2019 as he helped lead the Tar Heels to a 7-6 season and their first bowl win since the 2013 season where he was named the MVP of the Military Bowl. The quarterback threw for 3,641 yards and a school record 38 touchdown passes.

Going into 2020, Howell and the Tar Heels have high expectations.

The Tar Heels are a team that many think can challenge for the Atlantic Coast Conference crown with Clemson and possibly make some noise on the national stage. The new 10-game conference schedule sets up the potential for a Tar Heels’ run and Howell will certainly be the key to that.

For more on Howell and other UNC Football news, please check back with Keeping It Heel.