ESPN released its list of the top 50 college football players in the nation on Tuesday, with UNC sophomore quarterback Sam Howell and senior linebacker Chazz Surratt each finding their names among the rankings.

Howell checked in at No. 22 on the list as he prepares to build off one of the best seasons by a true freshman quarterback in NCAA history. He finished second in the ACC with 3,641 passing yards in 2019, while also setting an FBS record for a true freshman with 38 touchdown passes–a number that ranks third in ACC history regardless of age.

Surratt, meanwhile, took the No. 43 spot in the rankings heading into what will be just his second season at the linebacker position. After moving over from quarterback prior to 2019, Surratt’s speed and explosiveness helped him garner a team-high 115 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

Having superstars like Howell and Surratt are a big reason why the Tar Heels earned the No. 18 ranking in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25, and have preseason expectations as lofty as any the program has experienced in quite some time.

The Tar Heels are scheduled to begin the 2020 season on Sept. 12, when they host Syracuse at Kenan Stadium.

 

 

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