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UNC Football: Sam Howell opens near top of Heisman odds for 2021

By Zack Pearson

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels heads to the field to warm up prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 02, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels heads to the field to warm up prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 02, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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As we turn the page on the 2020 season, UNC Football quarterback Sam Howell is among the favorites for the 2021 Heisman Trophy

The 2020 UNC Football season is in the books as Sam Howell and the Tar Heels fell short in the Orange Bowl on Saturday night. But despite the loss to Texas A&M, the future is bright for the Tar Heels as they enter year three of Mack Brown’s second stint.

UNC will head into the 2021 season returning 19 of 22 starters from the Orange Bowl, including Howell who will enter his junior and likely final year. The Tar Heels will have to replace production from two 1,000-yard rushers, a 1,000 yard receiver and another top receiver on their offense.

But having Howell get reps with some backups in the Orange Bowl and the quarterback will be the key to success next season.

With UNC taking that next step in 2021, many also think Howell will as well and that has spilled over into the Vegas odds. On Monday, the first odds for the 2021 Heisman Trophy were released by My Bookie and right there near the top is Howell.

Only Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler has better odds at +450 as Howell is second at +550 for the next season. The list is dominated by quarterbacks at the top, and rightfully so. Check out the top odds:

  • QB Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma) +450
  • QB Sam Howell (UNC) +550
  • QB D.J. Uiagalelei (Clemson) +600
  • QB Kedon Slovis (USC) +700
  • QB D’Eriq King (Miami) +1000
  • QB Bryce Young (Alabama) +1200
  • QB Tyler Shough (Oregon) +1400

Shough is also a former UNC commit in the 2018 class but decommitted and pledged to Oregon back to 2017.  Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams checks in at +1400 as the first non-quarterback on that list.

Howell is coming off another impressive season, throwing for 3,586 passing yards (4th in the country), 30 passing touchdowns (6th) and just 7 interceptions (85th). His 66 touchdown passes through his first two years broke Trevor Lawrences ACC record, an impressive feat for the former four-star quarterback.

The Tar Heels are going to miss a lot of production which could hurt Howell’s chances at the Heisman but with his skill-set, the quarterback has the ability to make everyone around him better.

Next. Helmet stickers for UNC's loss to Texas A&M. dark

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

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