UNC Football: Two Tar Heels named top 5 in ACC per PFF

Despite losing a lot of talent on offense with the departures of Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown as well as Chazz Surratt on defense, the UNC Football program is still returning the majority of their starters from that Orange Bowl game against Texas A&M.

That includes quarterback Sam Howell who enters this season as a legit Heisman contender and one of the top players at his position in all of college football.

If you’ve watched UNC play over the past two years, you have noticed just how good Howell has played in his first two seasons. Now, he’s earning a lot of preseason recognition as he enters year three in Chapel Hill.

On Saturday, Pro Football Focus’ Anthony Treash ranked his top returning players in the Atlantic Coast Conference and taking the top spot is Howell:

Howell beat out Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross, Miami quarterback D’Eriq King and Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. His teammate, UNC defensive back, Storm Duck was named No. 5 which gave the Tar Heels two top five players.

In his two seasons in Chapel Hill, Howell has thrown for 7,227 yards, 68 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions while completing 64.4 percent of his passes. If he continues to get better, especially with big plays then he should be right there in the Heisman talk for the entire season.

Duck is entering his third season in Chapel Hill and has emerged as one of UNC’s top defensive players in a loaded secondary. Since playing as a true freshman, Duck has improved each season and is a leader for the Tar Heels’ defense as he’s pairing up with Tony Grimes, a player who stood out as a true freshman.

For more on the UNC Football program, please make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.