The Athletic named UNC junior quarterback Sam Howell as a first-team preseason All-American Monday, adding to the star signal-caller’s growing list of preseason awards.

Howell is one of only two ACC players on the team, and the only Tar Heel on either the first or second teams. Defensive tackle Bryson Bresee of Clemson is the only other ACC player on the first team.

Howell and the Tar Heels will see another member of the first team, safety Kyle Hamilton of Notre Dame, when UNC travels to South Bend on October 30.

Five members of The Athletic’s second team are on Carolina’s schedule: running back Kyren Williams and offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson of Notre Dame, safety Bubba Bolden and punter Lou Headley of Miami and offensive lineman Ifem Ekwonu of NC State.

In addition to this honor, Howell is among the names favored to win the Heisman Trophy, and has been named to watch lists for the Walter Camp and Manning Awards as well. He would be the first UNC player to win any of these prestigious honors.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
The Morning News: UNC Degree Cuts, Vinfast, Michael Lombardi
In today's news: UNC prepares to cut four degree programs, and Bill Belichick and Lee Roberts weigh in on the Michael Lombardi situation.
Amid Cloud of Uncertainty, UNC Football Opens 2026 Fall Training Camp
UNC took the field in Chapel Hill Thursday morning to open its fall training camp. Despite prognostications of doom and a gamut of negative press, it appears the Tar Heels will, in fact, play football in 2026. The bizarre headlines trickling out of the Kenan Football Center had no doubt cast a pall over things: […]
Belichick Mum on Michael Lombardi Situation, While UNC Chancellor Vows Investigation Will 'Fix It'
UNC head coach Bill Belichick addressed the media at the Kenan Football Center as the Tar Heels opened their fall training camp Thursday morning. It was Belichick’s first public appearance since the university announced Monday that general manager Michael Lombardi was being put on paid administrative leave for what is being reported as an HR […]
Chansky's Notebook: Needs to Go...Now
With Michael Lombardi put onto administrative leave, UNC Athletics Director Steve Newmark has a tough, but clear, decision to make.
The Morning News: Expanding the Ackland, Envisioning Carolina North
In today's news: UNC officials tour the future Carolina North site - and move forward on a big expansion of the Ackland Art Museum.
Chansky's Notebook: Chicanery
News of Mike Lombardi being put on administrative leave is just another embarrassment for this current UNC football regime.
'Nobody Likes to Lose': UNC Football Motivated by Frustrations of 2025 Season
The 2025 football season saw UNC end on a three-game losing streak. That in itself is, unfortunately for the Tar Heels, not entirely unique: Carolina lost three straight to end the 2024 and 2023 seasons and closed out the 2022 season on an ugly four-game slide. But it was the way in which the Tar […]
'Go Heels, Through and Through': UNC Football Speaks at the 2026 ACC Kickoff
Members of the UNC football team spoke to the media at the ACC Kickoff event in Charlotte Friday. Head coach Bill Belichick, receiver Jordan Shipp, offensive lineman Christo Kelly and defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude addressed several topics, including the upcoming season and last year’s difficult campaign. Below are highlights from Friday’s media session: Melkart Abou-Jaoude […]
Chansky's Notebook: The Cost of Business
Carolina has released its salary structure for the 2026-27 men’s basketball season, and right now it has to be a game of wait and see. Mike Malone is making $7.5 million in his first college head coaching season and his new top assistant Chuck Martin is making $500,000. Here is where it gets interesting. The […]
Check out the Full Schedule for UNC's ACC Network Takeover
The ACC Network will air a full day of UNC games from the 2025-26 academic year Wednesday, July 1. It’s part of a series of ACC Network Takeovers, which started June 24 and include all 18 member schools. UNC’s takeover includes wall-to-wall coverage from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The broadcast day gets underway with […]
›