UNC Football: Sam Howell behind only one QB in draft rankings

UNC Football quarterback Sam Howell is not only the top returning player in the Atlantic Coast Conference but in all of football for the 2021 season.

The conference’s preseason player of the year and Heisman trophy candidate is very likely entering his final year of college football as he’s expected to leave after his junior season. And ahead of the start of the season, one recruiting site believes Howell is one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2022 NFL draft.

ON3 Recruiting launched their initial quarterback rankings for the 2022 NFL draft, giving their top 10 at the position. And for Howell, only one player is ahead of him: Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler.

Howell checked in at number two on the initial list, trailing Rattler in a tight race:

"From day one, Howell put himself firmly in the conversation to go number one overall once draft-eligible. A starter from his first day on campus, Howell excels at many things. He has impressive ball placement, an electrifying arm, stout intelligence and enough athleticism to make plays with his legs. His ability to do it all makes him a coveted prospect."

The junior is a legit prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft and could overtake Rattler with a big year in 2021. The two appear to be neck-and-neck going into this season with different publications having each one at the top of their list.  It is safe to say that he is a legit first-round prospect with plenty of room to up his stock too.

In two seasons, Howell has thrown for 7,227 yards, 68 touchdowns, 14 interceptions while completing 64.4 percent of his attempts. Howell started right away for UNC back in 2019 after flipping his original commitment from Florida State to the Tar Heels. And boy, UNC is happy he did.

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