ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. published his first set of rankings for the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, with UNC junior quarterback Sam Howell listed as the No. 12 overall prospect.

Howell is the No. 2 ranked quarterback behind Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler, with both players among the gambling odds favorites to win the Heisman Trophy this year as well.

Through two years at UNC, Howell has put his name all over the Tar Heel record books–including throwing a school record 38 touchdown passes as a true freshman.

He enters his junior campaign in fifth place on the school’s all-time passing yardage list at 7,227, and tied with Darian Durant for the all-time passing touchdown lead at 68.

Kiper noted that this year will be crucial for scouts evaluating Howell, since he lost running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter and receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome to the NFL in the offseason.

Howell was the only UNC player ranked by Kiper in the top 10 at his position, but the Tar Heels enter the 2021 season with expectations of being among the top 10 or 15 teams in the country.

 

Photo via Matthew Fedder (UNC Athletics)

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
‹
Photo Gallery: 2021 UNC Football Spring Game
The annual UNC football spring game took place on Saturday, April 24 at Kenan Stadium — with Team Tar Heels defeating Team Carolina 14-12.
UNC Football Spring Game: How To Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
After a highly successful 2020 season that saw the Tar Heels earn a trip to the Orange Bowl, expectations have never been higher for UNC football. This Saturday, Mack Brown and the Tar Heels will showcase an early preview of the 2021 squad. Roughly 11,000 fans will be allowed into Kenan Stadium due to COVID-19 regulations […]
Art's Angle: Sam, I Am
Certainly, COVID 19 has cost America much more important losses in lives, health and income, but 50,000 people would have loved being in Kenan Stadium Saturday to witness Carolina’s football team win a game that, in all likelihood, saved a stellar season.  Imagine how a packed stadium like last year against Miami and Duke would […]
UNC Football vs. NC State: How To Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
Carolina (3-1) returns to Chapel Hill after suffering its first loss of the season last week against Florida State. The Tar Heels were a two-touchdown favorite against FSU, but dug themselves into a 31-7 hole at halftime. Critical drops on the last possession of the game allowed Florida State to escape with a 31-28 win […]
Art’s Angle: What Might Have Been
Let’s hope that one loss doesn’t turn into two or three or 13. In a game the Tar Heels had no business almost winning, or at least sending into overtime, their gallant comeback effort ended with three dropped passes that all could have been caught. Carolina was horrible in the first half with two blocked […]
UNC Football vs. Florida State: How To Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
No. 5 UNC — yes, you read that right — travels to Tallahassee this weekend to face off against the struggling Florida State Seminoles. The undefeated Tar Heels are coming off of an explosive 56-45 win over Virginia Tech. Running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams — perhaps the best combination of backs in the […]
Sam Howell Named to FWAA Freshman All-American Team
The Football Writers Association of American released its annual Freshman All-American team on Monday, with UNC’s Sam Howell earning the nod at the quarterback position after a fantastic debut campaign in Chapel Hill. Howell threw for 3,641 yards and 38 touchdowns, setting a new FBS record for touchdowns thrown by a true freshman and setting […]
UNC, Mack Brown Lock Down North Carolina in 2020 Recruiting Class
One year ago, Mack Brown stood at a podium in the Kenan Football Center and preached about the importance of recruiting the state of North Carolina. “You’ve got to win at home in recruiting before you go out of state,” Brown said at the time. “Because if the locals won’t come, why would an out-of-state […]
Photo Gallery: UNC Football vs. Duke
Art’s Angle: Kissing Your Sister
About 30 or so years ago, Dean Smith was asked about the prospect of another meeting against an ACC rival in the NCAA Tournament after having split two games during the regular season and losing a third that went into overtime. “Should be a pretty even,” Smith snickered, “we each won once and the third […]
›