UNC Football: Sam Howell expected to play in bowl game per report

The Sam Howell era at North Carolina isn’t over just yet.

Just a day after it was revealed that the UNC Football program would be taking on South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, the team may have just received some big news about their quarterback’s status in the game.

David Hale of ESPN reported the news on Monday morning, with Ross Martin of Inside Carolina, confirming that Howell is expected to play in the bowl game come December 30th in Charlotte.

"North Carolina junior quarterback Sam Howell will play in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, a source close to Inside Carolina confirmed on Monday morning. The Tar Heels face South Carolina on Dec. 30 at Bank of America Stadium (11:30 a.m./ESPN). The news was first reported by David Hale of ESPN."

This is certainly big news for the Tar Heels as many believed Howell’s final game was against N.C. State, one in which UNC blew a 11-point lead with just under two minutes left. Howell’s last throw in that game was an interception on a hail mary, something fans didn’t want to believe.

Looking at it from a draft perspective, with Howell likely gone, this does give him one more game for scouts to look at on tape before he participates in offseason events. Last season Zach Wilson played in BYU’s bowl game while others opted out.

While it’s been a rocky year for the Tar Heels, Howell has continued to be a bright spot. He’s thrown for 2,851 yards, 23 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions. The quarterback has also run for 825 yards and 11 scores.

In his three seasons after flipping from Florida State to North Carolina, Howell has been UNC’s best player. He’s thrown for 10,078 yards and 91 touchdowns while adding 1,006 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.

An official announcement from Howell should come soon as UNC preps for their bowl game later in the month.

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