Pro Football Focus released a list on Tuesday ranking all 130 starting quarterbacks in the FBS, with UNC sophomore Sam Howell earning the No. 4 spot in the rankings as he looks to build off a phenomenal season last year as a true freshman.

Howell set a new FBS record for true freshmen in 2019 with 38 touchdown passes, while also throwing for over 3,600 yards–a number that ranked second in the ACC and 14th nationally.

In addition, Howell threw for at least two touchdowns in all of UNC’s 13 games while leading the Tar Heels to their first bowl victory since 2013.

The only quarterbacks ahead of Howell on Pro Football Focus’s rankings are Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State’s Justin Fields and Georgia’s Jamie Newman–who transferred to the Bulldogs after a fantastic year for Wake Forest in 2019.

Howell and UNC are currently scheduled to open the regular season at home on Sept. 12 against Syracuse.

 

Photo via Matthew Fedder (UNC Athletics)

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