As the UNC football team prepares itself in El Paso ahead of its Sun Bowl matchup against No. 18 Stanford, junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky faces one of the most important decisions of his young life.

Should he stay or should he go?

After spending three years on head coach Larry Fedora’s bench, patiently waiting his turn to become the starter behind center, Trubisky surpassed all expectations in 2016.

The state of Ohio’s “Mr. Football” as a high-schooler back in 2012 produced one of the most prolific passing seasons in UNC history—having thrown for nearly 3,500 yards so far, to go along with his 28 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Pair those stats with his prototypical 6-foot-3-inch frame and you begin to understand why NFL scouts have been drooling over Trubisky for weeks now, regardless of the team’s rather disappointing finish to the regular season.

Trubisky’s pure arm talent has been on display all year in Chapel Hill. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

Should he decide to forego his final year of eligibility, most draft experts have him being selected in the first round, potentially as one of the top 10 players taken.

That kind of spotlight is certainly brand new to the Ohio native, but he’s confident that he’ll have support no matter which way he chooses to go.

“At times it can be overwhelming,” Trubisky told reporters. “But I’m surrounded by a great group of people—my family, great coaches, my teammates—who have been supporting me. I just like to step back and put it in perspective that the position I’m in right now is because of the hard work I’ve put in.

“It’s really just a blessing to be able to have this type of decision.”

As a one-year starter, some scouts will wonder if Trubisky has established a large enough body of work during his college career to warrant such a high selection.

Trubisky may even ask himself some of those same questions during periods of reflection.

Then, on the other hand, you see a kid that has performed at a high level on big stages when he’s been given the opportunity and already earned his degree. And, as if it hasn’t been mentioned before, he has a once-in-a-lifetime shot to walk across the stage and be recognized as a top NFL Draft pick.

“That’s the big debate,” Trubisky said. “What’s gonna be best for my preparation [as a football player]? Will my stock ever be as high as it is right now?

“That’s just one of those things I’ve been thinking about,” he continued. “And I really don’t have a clear cut answer for you.”

The ever-increasing media attention is something Trubisky has had to adjust to in recent weeks.

Trubisky’s tabloid debut. (Photo via New York Daily News)

Sports Illustrated ran a feature story on him, while the New York Daily News had his face on the back page of the tabloids as a potential love interest for the New York Jets.

He’s also had to face questions about his commitment to UNC’s bowl game against Stanford after the Cardinal’s star tailback, Christian McCaffrey, previously announced his plans to skip the contest in order to prepare for the NFL Draft. Unlike McCaffrey, however, Trubisky has yet to declare himself eligible for the professional ranks.

With no decision made yet, he’s done his best to try and ignore the loud noises coming in from the outside.

“I think it’s difficult, just in the world we live in with all the social media and things,” Trubisky said. “News travels so fast, and you get all types of people giving you this attention that you may or may not deserve. I know the type of person I am and how I was raised was just to deflect it.”

Plenty of people both inside and outside the UNC program have known about Trubisky’s talent for years now.

It’s safe to say, though, that there weren’t many—including Trubisky–who saw the NFL coming for him this quickly. Reality is starting to set in, as unexpected as it may have been just four months ago during training camp.

Head coach Larry Fedora and his staff have expressed support no matter what their quarterback chooses to do.

With the possibility that he has only a single game left in a Tar Heel uniform, Trubisky is simply enjoying any time he has left with his teammates in Chapel Hill.

The rest will come when it comes.

“I’m not gonna let it consume me,” Trubisky said of the draft dilemma. “I’m gonna take it day by day, but it’s really in God’s plans.

“I just gotta relax, lean on the people around me and just go through the process.”