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
‹
Several UNC Football Stars Will Return to Chapel Hill in 2026. Here's the Full List.
In an era of unrestricted player movement in college football, teams are undergoing radical changes every offseason. Take UNC before the 2025 season, when the Tar Heels upended their roster and brought in 70 new players. This offseason, there is only one transfer portal window, between Jan. 2 and Jan. 16. More than two dozen […]
College Football's Transfer Portal Closed Jan. 16. Which Tar Heels Entered?
The college football transfer portal opened Friday, Jan. 2 and closed Friday, Jan. 16. It was be the only transfer portal window of the year for college football, as the NCAA moved to eliminate the spring transfer window earlier this year. Players do not have to have committed to and signed with a new school […]
Chansky's Notebook: Building Depth
These days, college football recruiting is more about the money the athletes can now make in what has become a semi-pro system.
Chansky's Notebook: A Star is Born
In his second NFL season, Drake Maye has already established himself as the best quarterback that UNC football has ever produced.
Here's a List of Which Transfers Have Committed to UNC Football in 2026
The college football transfer portal opened Friday, Jan. 2 and closed Friday, Jan. 16. Here’s a list of players who have committed to head coach Bill Belichick and UNC out of the portal so far, with their classes for the 2026 season: QB Billy Edwards, Jr. (Most recent school: Wisconsin, redshirt senior) Ranked 3rd in […]
UNC Football Hiring Bobby Petrino as Offensive Coordinator
UNC is hiring Arkansas’ Bobby Petrino as its next offensive coordinator. Petrino will replace Freddie Kitchens, who was fired after his lone season calling plays in 2025. It’s official! Welcome to Chapel Hill, @CoachBPetrino! 🐏🏠 🔗: https://t.co/XOaBDLO617 pic.twitter.com/gjE8D8lv6O — Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) January 9, 2026 In a statement, UNC head coach Bill Belichick called Petrino […]
Report: UNC Starting QB Gio Lopez Will Enter Transfer Portal
According to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports, Gio Lopez, who started 11 of UNC’s 12 games at quarterback in 2025, will enter the transfer portal. Lopez’s announcement comes just a day after Carolina reportedly received a commitment from former Maryland and Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards, Jr. out of the transfer portal. Before Edwards’ commitment, Lopez […]
Report: Former Maryland, Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards, Jr. Commits to UNC Football
According to reports from ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Inside Carolina, quarterback Billy Edwards, Jr. has committed to head coach Bill Belichick and UNC out of the transfer portal. Edwards is the first player in the current cycle to commit to the Tar Heels out of the portal, which opened Jan. 2. Edwards has spent time […]
Top Stories of 2025: Bill Belichick's Debut Season with UNC Football Backfires
With the hiring of Bill Belichick as head coach, UNC assured itself of one thing: there would be more eyes on the Tar Heels than ever before.
Report: UNC QB Bryce Baker Plans to Enter Transfer Portal
According to numerous sources, UNC true freshman quarterback Bryce Baker is planning to enter the transfer portal once it opens Jan. 2. Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports first reported the news. BREAKING: North Carolina true freshman QB Bryce Baker is entering the @TransferPortal, @On3Sports has learned He was ranked as a Top 65 Recruit (No. […]
›