UNC Football: Where Mel Kiper Jr. has QB Sam Howell ranked

While the 2021 NFL draft is only a month old, the focus for draft analysts has shifted to the 2022 event where North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell should be one of the top prospects available.

Going into his third season with the Tar Heels, Howell is entering 2021 as a potential Heisman favorite and the chance to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft. But Howell has some competition to earn those honors including Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler among others vying to take that Heisman and be the No. 1 overall pick.

With so long to go until April 2022, a lot can change but it’s still nice to see analysts view on where things stand right now.

The latest analyst to offer his draft thoughts was ESPN senior draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. as he released his first big board for the 2022 draft. On the big board, Kiper Jr. has Howell as the No. 2 quarterback behind Rattler and the No. 12 overall player. Here is what Kiper Jr. said of Howell as he enters his junior season:

"Howell had 68 touchdown passes and only 14 picks in 25 games over the past two seasons. He doesn’t have the arm strength of Spencer Rattler, but he’s extremely accurate and can make off-platform throws. He has taken nearly 70 sacks in his career, so he doesn’t have the best offensive line in front of him. The big question for Howell in 2021: How will he fare with four top playmakers headed to the NFL? Running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter and wideouts Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome are all gone. The pressure is on Howell."

Howell does lose a lot of talent on his offense but it’s not like the Tar Heels don’t have skill players going into the 2021 season. A big year from Howell again should help boost his draft stock and potentially climb higher on these big boards and position rankings.

But a down year could impact his draft stock especially with what is considered another deep year for quarterbacks.

There’s a long way to go and a lot will change in rankings and mocks but it’s still good to know that Howell is a legit quarterback prospect that once again should have a big year in Chapel Hill.

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