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UNC Football: Sam Howell named to Davey O’Brien Award Watch List

By Nick Delahanty

Dec 5, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) looks to pass in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell (7) looks to pass in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNC Football standout quarterback Sam Howell has added some more preseason recognition. Find out what watch list Howell was most recently added to here.

The secret has been out for a while now: Sam Howell is one of, if not the, best quarterback in the entire country.

Heading into his junior season, the expectations are sky high for both Howell and the UNC Football program. As the season edges closer, the Tar Heels veteran quarterback has some received some recent national attention.

After recently being named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list, Howell was also selected to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list. As the Maxwell Award honors the most outstanding player throughout the sport of college football, the Davey O’Brien Award is much more specific to Howell’s quarterback position.

In 1977,  the Davey O’Brien Foundation and Memorial Trophy were created in honor of the namesake, who would pass away shortly after due to cancer. Originally, the award was presented to the most outstanding player in the Southwestern states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. However, after four years, the award expanded nationally, and focused solely on O’Brien’s position of quarterback.

This award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while also exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership qualities in both the academic and athletic fields.

Howell is no stranger to the Davey O’Brien Award. After his sophomore season in which he threw for 3.586 yards and 30 touchdown passes, the Indian Trail, N.C. native was named a semifinalist for the award.

Although he came up short in winning the award a season ago, Howell should be viewed amongst the favorites to become this year’s recipient. As Howell works to prove that he is the best quarterback in the nation, all eyes will be on Chapel Hill as Mack Brown and company look to make a push towards a chance at competing for a national championship.

Next. UNC Football: Jeremiah Gemmel named to Bednarik Award Watch List. dark

Continue to follow the Keeping It Heel team for all the latest news and updates regarding Sam Howell and the UNC football program.

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