With this season’s Heisman Trophy being awarded to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow this past weekend, noted sports gambling site DraftKings went ahead and released its odds for the 2020 Heisman Trophy on Thursday.

Among those near the top of that list was UNC quarterback Sam Howell, who was listed at 20-1 odds (+2000) to take home the most prestigious award in college football after putting forth one of the best seasons ever by a true freshman in 2019.

With one game still left to play–the Military Bowl against Temple on Dec. 27–Howell has already broken the all-time FBS record for touchdown passes by a true freshman with 35, a number which also ranks among the top five all-time in ACC history regardless of age.

In addition, Howell has also thrown for 3,347 yards through UNC’s first 12 games. That number ranks him 15th in the entire country.

The Tar Heels just signed one of the top 20 recruiting classes in the nation this week, and will have a majority of their offensive starters returning next season. With the team expected to win at an even higher rate in 2020–and Howell expected to improve on this year’s stats–it’s not a surprise to see him earning some Heisman buzz.

For the full list of DraftKings’ 2020 Heisman odds, click here.

 

 

 

Photo via Dakota Moyer

Related Stories
‹
Chansky's Notebook: Carolina Conundrum
There is no question Mike Lombardi will lose his job as football general manager and leave Chapel Hill, writes Art Chansky.
The Morning News: Chatham Residents Fight Pipeline, Breadman's Shut Down, Steve Belichick on Medical Leave
Chatham County residents speak out against a proposed natural gas pipeline, and an iconic Chapel Hill restaurant is abruptly shuttered.
UNC Football Ramping Up Intensity as Fall Training Camp Hits 1-Week Mark
Thursday morning marked one week of UNC’s fall training camp, and head coach Bill Belichick said the team has been steadily ramping up the intensity of its sessions. Wednesday was the Tar Heels’ first day of practice in pads, as the “acclimation period” portion of camp comes to an end. “The competition really starts this […]
UNC Defensive Coordinator Steve Belichick on Medical Leave, Father Bill Says
UNC defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is away from the program on medical leave, head coach Bill Belichick said Thursday at the Kenan Football Center. Steve Belichick had been scheduled to address the media last Thursday following the Tar Heels’ first practice of fall camp, but did not appear at the podium. Bill Belichick said the […]
The Morning News: Legion Road, ArtsOrange, Jason Johnson, Bill Belichick
In today's news: Chapel Hill provides an update on the future of its 36-acre property on Legion Road, with a pond slated for removal.
Chansky's Notebook: The One Who Got Away
Mack Brown was a very good football coach. His father was a high school coach in Tennessee, and his older brother Watson preceded him into mid-major positions. The peripatetic Brown held nine assistant jobs and one as a head coach in 15 years before he was 35. That included being the athletic director at Tulane […]
Taking Advantage of Court Ruling, UNC Kicker Rece Verhoff Returns to Program
Kicker Rece Verhoff is returning to the UNC football program and plans to play in the 2026 season, taking advantage of a recent court ruling from U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney which granted a fifth year of eligibility to athletes who graduated high school in 2022. Welcome back Rece Verhoff pic.twitter.com/Fwk0Z4PeNB — Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) […]
The Morning News: Mike Roberson, Chatham Pipeline, Chapel Hill Vehicle Break-Ins, Dean Dome
In today's news: former Chatham County sheriff Mike Roberson steps into a new role as a Chatham County Commissioner.
The Morning News: Rani Dasi, Faith Hedgepeth, and Bobby Petrino
In today's news: Rani Dasi discusses her impending move from the CHCCS school board to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Shaquille O'Neal Featured Among 2026 Performers for Chapel Thrill Concert Series
UNC has announced its setlist for the 2026 Chapel Thrill Concert Series. The series is part of the school’s “Chapel Thrill Game Day,” which debuted in 2025. The concerts are the centerpiece of the festivities, with the stage located on Polk Place in front of Wilson Library in the heart of the UNC campus. Each […]
›