North Carolina: https://goheels.com/sports/football/roster/sam-howell/22451
Yahoo: https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-scouting-report-north-carolina-qb-sam-howell-145356562.html
Sam Howell, North Carolina QB | NFL Draft Scouting Report: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/sam-howell-north-carolina-qb-nfl-draft-player-profile-2022/
Sam Howell QB North Carolina - Draft Player Profile: https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/sam-howell
Articles:
The most underrated prospects in the 2022 NFL draft class (Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: The difference between Howell’s 2020 and 2021 seasons was pretty clear: In 2020, Howell had Javonte Williams and Michael Carter at running back, and Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown at receiver. All four of those players went to the NFL in 2021, which left Howell with an entirely new structure. Howell still completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,056 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions last season, and he grew exponentially as a runner, gaining 828 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns on the ground. Some think of Howell as a system/RPO guy, but there’s more than enough examples of his ability to throw into tight windows, and with anticipation, to make his NFL transition interesting. Things change in the NFL all the time; having a quarterback who can roll with those changes takes one thing off the coaches’ to-do lists. He’ll make the occasional head-scratching decision, but if you’re looking at an iffy quarterback class, and trying to pull the quarterback with the most traits out of the box… Howell isn’t Malik Willis, but there’s a lot to like here.) (4-27-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-underrated-players-sam-howell-roger-mccreary/
NFL Draft sleepers: 11 potential steals in 2022 include Sam Howell, Brian Robinson (Quarterback: Sam Howell, UNC - Sam Howell was once considered the likely No. 1 quarterback prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. That changed rapidly during his final season at UNC, as he regressed from the solid form he showcased as a sophomore. That said, Howell had lost numerous weapons to the NFL the previous year, including Javonte Williams, Michael Carter and Dyami Brown, so there was bound to be some regression. Howell still posted decent numbers in 2021, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 3,056 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions while running for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns. He did well to adjust to his circumstances and provided some serious rushing pop for a team that needed it. Howell has a good-looking arm and great mobility, so he could develop into an NFL starter. He's a bit like Baker Mayfield, which may not sound like a ringing endorsement, but quarterback-needy teams would be glad to get a Mayfield-type on Day 2 of the draft, especially given that Howell runs better than Mayfield.) (4-26-22): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-sleepers-steals-2022/edcgixonnt1wqquwrvocbxyy
The most underrated prospects in the 2022 NFL draft class (Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: The difference between Howell’s 2020 and 2021 seasons was pretty clear: In 2020, Howell had Javonte Williams and Michael Carter at running back, and Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown at receiver. All four of those players went to the NFL in 2021, which left Howell with an entirely new structure. Howell still completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,056 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions last season, and he grew exponentially as a runner, gaining 828 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns on the ground. Some think of Howell as a system/RPO guy, but there’s more than enough examples of his ability to throw into tight windows, and with anticipation, to make his NFL transition interesting. Things change in the NFL all the time; having a quarterback who can roll with those changes takes one thing off the coaches’ to-do lists. He’ll make the occasional head-scratching decision, but if you’re looking at an iffy quarterback class, and trying to pull the quarterback with the most traits out of the box… Howell isn’t Malik Willis, but there’s a lot to like here.) (4-26-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-underrated-players-sam-howell-roger-mccreary/
5 Lions draft thoughts and 1 bold prediction to kick off 2022 NFL draft week (Sam Howell at No. 32? One of the late-breaking developments is a rash of predictions that North Carolina QB Sam Howell could be the Lions selection with the No. 32 overall pick. And yes, I buy that it’s very much a real possibility. Look at the picture above, from Howell’s pro day. That’s Chris Spielman front and center behind Howell, watching intently. The Lions coached Howell during Senior Bowl week and the reviews were pretty favorable, if not as dynamic as Willis. They know him very well. Taking Howell at 32 puts less pressure on him to perform right away. The Dan Campbell statement that the No. 2 pick must be an instant starter is very real. At the end of the first round, it’s a different story. It allows the Lions to see what Jared Goff can do with better weapons and a more conducive offensive system while also having some pressure to perform. Having the potential successor in the building will either push Goff to be better or prove he needs to be replaced. Howell does check a lot of the boxes the Lions want, but not all of them. It won’t surprise me at all if he’s the choice at 32.) (4-25-22): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/5-lions-draft-thoughts-and-1-bold-prediction-to-kick-off-2022-nfl-draft-week/
2022 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Quarterbacks (2. SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA (BIG BOARD RANK: 34): Howell may have taken a step back as a passer, but he proved to be a legitimate threat as a runner this season. He broke an absurd 63 tackles and ran for 1,072 yards in 2021.) (4-22-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-2022-nfl-draft-rankings-quarterbacks-kenny-pickett-matt-corral-sam-howell-malik-willis
2022 NFL Draft: Sam Howell, Breece Hall among 'mock busters' (Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: When discussing the dual-threat quarterbacks of the 2022 draft class, most focus on Liberty’s Malik Willis, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder and Ole Miss' Matt Corral, and it should surprise no one if any or all of them are selected in the first round. But given that Howell’s passing touchdown total dropped in each of his three seasons at Chapel Hill, his selection in the first round might catch some off-guard. Despite the dropoff, Howell's overall TD-to-INT ratio was a stellar 92-23 at UNC. And he emerged as a formidable weapon as a runner this past season, as the Tar Heels struggled to replace star runners and receivers drafted into the NFL. Howell’s 828 rushing yards and 11 scores in 2021 weren’t far off from Willis’ 878 and 13, in fact. Howell is arguably the draft’s best deep-ball passer, and he possesses the competitiveness and leadership traits that teams value. So don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the final few selections of the first round via a club trading up with Kansas City (owners of the No. 29 and 30 selections) or Detroit nabbing him at No. 32.) (4-21-22): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2022-nfl-draft-sam-howell-breece-hall-among-mock-busters
2022 Detroit Lions Draft preview: GM Brad Holmes faces huge decision at quarterback (Day 1/Early Day 2 options: Liberty’s Malik Willis, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, Ole Miss’ Matt Corral, North Carolina’s Sam Howell. Moving into Pick 32/34 territory, Ridder, Corral, and Howell are potential options if Detroit believes spending early draft capital on this draft class of quarterbacks is too rich for their blood. The Lions are likely very familiar with Howell after spending a week with him at the Senior Bowl. He entered 2021 as one of the favorites to become QB1 in this draft class, but after an exodus in talent around him, he had a disappointing final college season.) (4-18-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/4/18/23030009/2022-detroit-lions-draft-preview-quarterback-options
NFL comps for draft QBs: Corral next Jake Plummer? (Sam Howell
North Carolina (PRO COMPARISON: A modernized Drew Brees) - Howell compared himself to Brees at the NFL Scouting Combine, so I looked into it and there are a lot of notes that fit here -- namely processing, a Computer Vision metric that measures how much a QB's head moves from the time he lines up for the play until the ball's release. (Note: I've had NFL coaches help me train this model for the right amount of head movement, which depends on the play.) Computer Vision shows that Howell was the best in the FBS at decision-making on third down (as measured by earning a first down/TD or avoiding taking negative yards), which has been an extremely predictive metric in the 20-year sample. In fact, Howell is my model's second-favorite QB in terms of projected success. PFF shows that Howell had 82 big-time throws in his college career (2019 through 2021), which was 16 more than any other FBS quarterback and 28 more than any other Power Five QB. His pro comp is "a modernized Drew Brees" because they're similar in many ways, but Howell offers more as a straight runner than the future Hall of Famer did. Howell logged 65 forced missed tackles in 2021, the most by a Power Five quarterback since PFF started tracking college ball in 2014. TEAM FIT: Indianapolis Colts. PFF shows that Howell used play-action the most in the ACC last season (48.9 percent). He also had the fifth-highest big-time throw percentage (8.9) in the entire FBS over the past five seasons. The opportunity to learn behind Matt Ryan and operate behind that line -- with Jonathan Taylor's presence in the backfield making the play-action game pop -- creates the optimal upside. The Saints also make a lot of sense and have the blend of success attributes and draft capital to take this swing.) (4-15-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-pro-comparisons-and-analytical-team-fits-for-top-quarterback-pros
2022 NFL Draft: Why Howell should be first QB taken (4-14-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-draft-making-the-case-for-sam-howell-to-be-the-first-quarterback-off-the-board/
Which 2022 NFL Draft prospects could sneak into the first round? (QB SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA - 2021 grade: 91.1 (15th out of 293 QBs). Howell is undoubtedly one of the five best quarterbacks in this year’s draft, and we just saw five quarterbacks go in the first round in last year’s event. This year’s quarterback class isn’t quite as strong, however, but Howell is gaining some steam late in the process. Multiple sources called Howell a potential sleeper to go in the first round. He has the tools, but he’s a tough projection since he led the nation in RPO attempts in 2021. PFF lead draft analyst Mike Renner has Howell atop this year's QB class. One team to watch for Howell is the New Orleans Saints, who just added a second first-round pick in the 2022 draft. Scout’s take: “I like him. He was better in 2020 before Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome were drafted and he had more help. Athleticism is a bonus. Biggest strength is deep ball.) (4-12-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-prospects-sneak-first-round
2022 NFL Draft quarterback rankings: Will Kenny Pickett or Malik Willis be drafted first? (5. Sam Howell, North Carolina: Howell was a popular pick to be the first player drafted in 2022 in the run up to last year’s college football season. He failed to capitalize on that momentum, however, and now looks more like a Day 2 pick. Is Howell the guy who averaged more than 10 yards per throw at UNC in 2020, or the one whose passer rating was nearly 25 full points lower last fall? While the drop in passing efficiency was balanced out by a significant uptick on the ground — he ran for 181 net yards his first two seasons as a Tar Heel before breaking loose for 828 in 2021 — NFL teams will almost certainly be more interested in his ability to make plays downfield with his arm. There’s good news there. Howell can create magic in the deep and intermediate fields, though his consistency in that area can be frustrating. When he’s feeling it, Howell has the raw talent to do special things. However, he’s also prone to forcing bad passes into small windows. Like Pickett he tends to create overthrows that sail over open targets, but that’s a refinable trait. His reads are fine, but generally lagged behind guys like Ridder and Corral last fall. He can get caught up in the pocket and takes some avoidable sacks which, again, is fixable but frustrating. That leaves Howell as an intriguing prospect. He’s not great at any one thing and doesn’t have exceptional size or arm strength, but as a product he’s capable of generating first downs and leading an offense. He can step up and make clutch throws 15 to 20 yards downfield or escape the pocket to pick up a first down. He’s a useful player who brings value, even if he lacks the ceiling or floor of the four quarterbacks ahead of him.) (4-12-22): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-quarterback-rankings-kenny-pickett-malik-willis
2022 NFL Draft: Ranking the top five quarterback prospects (4. Sam Howell, North Carolina (2021 stats: 3,056 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions) - Klatt's thoughts: "He came into the year as a guy that we thought could have been the No. 1 pick in the draft. The season didn't go how Mack Brown and the Tar Heels expected, nor wanted, though Howell still has those traits. He's strong, he has a very good arm, has a quick release. They had a heavy RPO system — run, pass, option system. And I think that ability to make decisions quickly will pay dividends for him in the NFL.") (4-5-22): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/joel-klatt-ranks-the-top-five-qb-prospects-in-the-2022-nfl-draft
2022 NFL Draft preview: 5 quarterbacks that could interest the Lions (3. Sam Howell, North Carolina (6-1, 218.): Howell was a limited participant at the Combine because of a calf injury sustained in North Carolina's Orange Bowl appearance, but he did leave a mark by recording the fastest pass ever – 59 miles an hour – on one throw during his workout. Howell threw 68 TD passes against 14 interceptions in 25 games as a two-year starter at North Carolina. Not known as a scrambler, he ran for 181 yards and six TDs.) (4-5-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-preview-5-quarterbacks-lions-pickett-willis-howell
2022 NFL Draft: The top 11 quarterbacks (6
Sam Howell, North Carolina (Height: 6’1″ (12th) Weight: 218 (40th)): Bio: Sam Howell was one of the most coveted football recruits in the state of North Carolina, throwing for 13,415 yards and rushing for another 3,621 during his career at Sun Valley High School. Graded as a four-star recruit, Howell originally committed to Florida State, but decided in the end to stay close to home and play for the Tar Heels. Howell has been UNC’s starting quarterback since setting foot on campus, throwing for 3,641 yards and 38 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2019. In 2020, Howell was able to play with NFL talent around in in Dyami Brown, Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, and he enjoyed another solid year, completing 68.1% of his passes for 3,586 yards and 30 touchdowns, against 7 interceptions. Last year, that talent departed for the NFL, but Howell adjusted. His passing numbers tracked downward, as he hit on 62.5% of his passes for 3,056 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he relied on his legs much more in UNC’s offense. Howerll ran for 828 yards on 183 carries, and was the Tar Heel’s second-leading rusher. Stat to Know: Howell leaves campus having thrown at least one touchdown in every game he started. Strengths: Howell’s combination of deep-ball prowess and the athleticism we saw from him last season is often a solid starting point for NFL quarterbacks in today’s game. Howell has both the velocity to stretch defenses downfield and the touch to drop throws in the bucket on nine routes. Throws like this touchdown against Georgia State are a prime example. Howell also has the ability to throw with timing and rhythm, and deliver anticipatory throws when he has a solid understanding of the coverage and the concept. Take this completion against Notre Dame, where he delivers on the deep comeback route from the left hashmark to the right sideline. This is your prototypical “Sunday throw,” delivered with timing and anticipation from one side of the field to another, with enough velocity to prevent the cornerback from driving on the football and making a play at the catch point. Then there is also the added element of what Howell showed this year as a runner. He became a weapon for the North Carolina offense with the football in his hands, leading to increased usage on designed runs. Weaknesses: Similar to Corral, Howell is going to require a bit of needle-threading when it comes to scheme fit. Howell is a great deep-ball thrower, and the UNC offense also relied heavily on RPO concepts, so he’ll be at his best in an offense that caters to that level of experience. As stated in the Pro Football Focus draft guide, his offense “…was almost all RPOs and go-balls, leading the nation in both.” If that sounds like an NFL offense, that team might realistically view him as QB1. As we have also seen with other athletic quarterbacks, his ability to create with his legs is both a blessing and a curse. There are moments in the pocket where, rather than working through reads, Howell decides to create with his legs, passing up open receivers or bailing on concepts early in the down. Howell also made some head-scratching decisions with the football, particularly early in the year. He threw three interceptions in the season-opening loss at Virginia Tech, and while one was a great play by a cornerback, wrestling the football away at the catch point, the other two were…curious. First was this throw where, with a clean passing lane, he decided to drop his arm angle, leading to a tip and an interception. Then there was the final offensive play of the game where Howell did this on second down, in a one-score game. He’ll need to be better with the football at the next level. Conclusion: That Virginia Tech game, and what happened in the weeks and months after, is a perfect encapsulation of the draft cycle of a quarterback prospect. Howell entered the 2021 college football season as either QB1 or QB2, along with Spencer Rattler. But after that three-interception outing against Virginia Tech, the evaluation community quietly moved on. In the interim, Howell became more of a threat as a runner while continuing to drop in bucket throws in the vertical passing game. He might need more of the ideal scheme fit than others in this class, but in some systems he could truly be the top option at the position this draft cycle. Comparison: Baker Mayfield is a name often associated with Howell when it comes to a comparison. But his deep passing skills coupled with what he showcased as a runner this year reminds me of Jalen Hurts when he was coming out of college, but with a bit more velocity on throws.) (4-4-22): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/best-draft-quarterbacks-malik-willis-desmond-ridder-kenny-pickett-nfl-draft/
Best scheme fits for the top 5 quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft (SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS: As is the case for Willis, the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ offense would work really well for Howell. One of Matt Canada’s base pass concepts as a college offensive coordinator was “snag/spot,” which Howell saw a lot in Phil Longo’s North Carolina offense for three years. Canada’s RPO schemes with the Steelers would also fit Howell. In that offense, the quarterback is given a pre-snap RPO read and a post-snap RPO read. With the way Howell is willing to operate in closing pockets, he can handle pulling the ball late on an RPO throw and still getting an accurate throw off to most areas of the field.) (4-4-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-best-scheme-fits-top-5-quarterbacks-2022-nfl-draft
Monson: Ranking the top six quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft (5. SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA: Howell and Matt Corral are in similar positions to me. The biggest concern isn’t what they can’t do, it’s the breadth of the unknown when it comes to their play because of their college offenses. Each played in a system that employed RPOs on around 40% of their offensive plays last season. The NFL average is around 10%, and some teams rarely employ them at all. RPOs simplify reads and limit what they ask of a quarterback in terms of processing and understanding progressions. Does that mean either player is incapable of adjusting from an RPO-heavy offense to a pro-style one? No. But it adds a much higher degree of uncertainty to their projections. Howell has a great arm and was a freakishly effective runner in 2021 in a new style of offense. He broke 65 tackles with the ball in his hands and was routinely pinballing off defenders in a manner that seemed to make no sense for a player of his dimensions. His accuracy is a concern — even within an RPO-heavy system, he was in the lower half of passers in terms of ball-location accuracy data — and that gulf between the offenses he has run and the ones he will have to run at the next level is massive. Howell does bring intriguing upside, though, which in this year more than most may be extra valuable.) (4-1-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-quarterbacks-2022-nfl-draft-monson
2022 NFL Draft Board: Quarterbacks (5. Sam Howell, North Carolina--Experienced, athletic starter with a great arm and playmaking panache. Powerfully built though shorter than ideal (6 feet), and he plays with strength and balance. Howell has good-not-great accuracy from the pocket, but his touch on intermediate and deep throws is best-in-class. Can uncork the fastball with good in-pocket and in-phase mechanics, proved he can make tight-window throws and sizzle timing throws between layers of a zone. Got better at anticipatory throws and touch with more chemistry with his receivers, though it’s still an area for improvement. Very effective runner who sells fakes well and consistently makes the right decision on RPOs and multifaceted reads. Howell definitely has some room to improve. His vision and mechanics break down when pressured. Gets impatient and will tuck and run, doesn’t keep his eyes up well when avoiding pressure. Powerful runner but not always prudent in avoiding hits. Serial ball-patter before he throws, an annoyance at the college level that becomes a problem against the speedier defenses in the NFL. Much rawer of a passer when pressured and doesn’t feel the pressure on time consistently. He battles and is a great leader, but Howell hasn’t shown he can elevate the talent around him. Accuracy under pressure is suboptimal and never really got better despite his experience. He’s better than the first impression he gave to most in 2021, a rough night vs. Virginia Tech with an all-new team around him. Some of his midseason game tape (Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh) offers glimpses of the guy often touted as QB1 entering the season. But his ability to read pre-snap and manipulate the defense post-snap must improve. Coachable but needs it; would love to see him paired with a veteran starter and experienced QB coach/OC for a year before letting him play in the NFL. That’s unfortunately unrealistic for a top-50 overall prospect these days. 2nd rounder somewhere in the Jalen Hurts/Taylor Henicke pantheon level.) (3-31-22): https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3449/2022-NFL-Draft-Board-Quarterbacks
Top 10 Quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft: Malik Willis paces the field ahead of Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell (3. Sam Howell, North Carolina: There is a lot to like about Sam Howell. Whether it’s his accuracy or arm strength, he has many traits of an elite quarterback. Yet, for some reason, the general consensus states he had a down year in 2021. A down year for Howell equaled 3,056 yards and 24 touchdowns. That same down year saw him run for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns. Howell is not a dual-threat quarterback. Yet, he ran the ball 183 times a season ago. Given the proper system, a solid offensive line, and talent around him, Howell could boast a higher ceiling than many recent NFL Draft picks. Think of Baker Mayfield’s highs when you think of Howell’s. He has the ability to find every level of the field and throws with great anticipation. Howell also has a proven ability to lead a team and elevate players around him, as he did in 2020. A dynamic athlete, Howell enters the 2022 NFL Draft with the highest proverbial floor among the prospects. He’ll need to shake the system he played in at UNC, but his smarts and mental prowess should allow him to see immediate success as a potential franchise quarterback.) (3-31-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-quarterbacks-in-the-2022-nfl-draft-kenny-pickett-matt-corral-continue-their-ascension/
NFL Pro Day News and Rumors: Commanders, Seahawks, Eagles, and Steelers all interested in Sam Howell? (Several big pro days took place yesterday as North Carolina and Air Force prospects worked out in advance of the NFL Draft. Here are some news and rumors from the pro days, including some names of teams that were impressed by UNC QB Sam Howell.) (3-29-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-pro-day-news-and-rumors-commanders-seahawks-eagles-steelers-sam-howell/
Chris Spielman reps the Lions at North Carolina's pro day for QB Sam Howell (3-28-22): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/28/detroit-lions-2022-nfl-draft-sam-howell-pro-day-chris-spielman/
Is Sam Howell a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft? (3-28-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/is-sam-howell-a-first-round-pick-in-the-2022-nfl-draft/
TWENTYMAN: 5 pro days to watch this week (Who to watch: Liberty quarterback Malik Willis was in the headlines last week after an impressive pro day on Liberty's campus. Can Sam Howell generate the same kind of buzz this week with an impressive workout of his own in Chapel Hill? Howell threw at the Combine but didn't do other drills because of a nagging calf injury suffered at the Senior Bowl. He'll have to test and throw at this pro day.) (3-27-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-5-pro-days-to-watch-this-week-neal-thibodeaux-johnson
Lions 2022 NFL draft: A quarterback for every round (3rd round: Sam Howell, North Carolina - Howell is another player who could very well come off the board a round earlier than listed here, but he’s one of the few QBs who could project in the 50-100 overall range. The Lions coached Howell, a preseason potential No. 1 overall pick, at the Senior Bowl. He had a rough start to his 2021 college season but quietly emerged as a very good precision passer who also can run with judicious power. If Howell irons out the inconsistent wrinkles in his game, he’s got a chance to be a very good NFL starter.) (3-25-22): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/lions-2022-nfl-draft-qb-prospect-for-each-round-willis-corral-howell-eleby-coan-scouting-reports/
NFL Draft prospects 2022: Biggest risers, fallers from every position after NFL Combine (Faller: Sam Howell, North Carolina (6-1, 218 pounds): Howell is already battling questions about his size and he added more with his inconsistent accuracy on shorter routes and some trouble with deep-ball placement during his passing drills. He's a late second-rounder at best and could fall into the mid third round.) (3-7-22): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-combine-stock-watch-risers-fallers-2022-nfl-draft/amedc2vzhlwtmd63swg6kuhk
2022 NFL Scouting Combine: Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell among quarterback winners and losers (Winners - Sam Howell, North Carolina: Coming into the combine, Howell had the distinction of being the best deep ball thrower in the class. He and Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett were probably the most accurate with their downfield attempts. The trajectory on Howell's deep passes is impressive. When looking for translatable traits, Howell has that feather in his cap.) (3-4-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-scouting-combine-malik-willis-desmond-ridder-sam-howell-among-quarterback-winners-and-losers/
NFL Combine results: 8 standouts from the quarterback group (Sam Howell (North Carolina, 6-foot-0 1⁄2, 218) had his leadership and interviewing skills talked up more than once on the broadcast. But despite being in the first quarterback group, where he was clearly the best player, he wasn’t lights out better than the pack, which was a bit disappointing for me. He’s still going to be in the first round conversation based on his intangibles.) (3-4-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/3/4/22961165/nfl-combine-results-8-standouts-quarterback-group
NFL Combine takeaways: Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder star in QB workouts for 2022 draft (Sam Howell, North Carolina (6-1, 218 pounds, 9 1/8-inch hands): Howell passed on non-throwing testing; he plans to save that for his pro day later in March. He started out OK in throwing drills, but his deep balls were disappointing and then he quickly lost touch and accuracy on shorter throws. There's a strong enough resume from his play with the Tar Heels to keep him from slipping too much lower than the middle of the second round. But he confirmed Thursday that he's not a Night 1 prospect.) (3-4-22): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-combine-results-2022-draft-quarterback-workouts-malik-willis-kenny-pickett-desmond-ridder/t20uzy4dmdyynegm8y1kn8wa
2022 NFL Combine Stock Report - Quarterbacks (Up - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: Sam Howell impressed during the combine drills, throwing several impressive passes. This wasn't a surprise, as Howell came into the combine with what was expected to have the strong arm among the quarterbacks. This turned out to be the case, as Howell's throws were clocked in at a combine-best 59 mph.) (3-4-22): https://walterfootball.com/combine2022stockQB.php
9 NFL Draft prospects the Lions should watch at the 2022 NFL Combine (Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: The one thing that could stop a defensive player from going second overall is a slam dunk performance from a QB this week. Malik Willis not working out reduces that chance, but Sam Howell and the other QBs will be desperate to show the Lions that they are a prospect the Lions cannot risk missing out on. The expectation is that the Lions pass on QB at No. 2 and make a move for one later in the first round. However, things in the NFL Draft world are always fluid, and with the Lions not picking until 32, they might not be willing to risk losing out on their preferred selection.) (3-3-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/9-nfl-draft-prospects-the-detroit-lions-should-watch-2022-nfl-combine/
QB Sam Howell, a popular mock pick to Lions, blames 2021 struggles on trying to do too much (3-2-22): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/03/qb-sam-howell-a-popular-mock-pick-for-the-detroit-lions-credits-trying-to-do-too-much-for-2021-struggles.html
6 Quarterbacks for Lions to Watch at NFL Scouting Combine (North Carolina's Sam Howell: Entering the 2021 college football season, the big-armed signal-caller was a Heisman favorite and arguably the consensus No. 1 QB in the 2022 draft class. Fast-forward to now, and his stock has fallen because of a somewhat shaky final season at North Carolina. In what was his junior campaign with the Tar Heels, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound passer threw for 24 touchdowns, nine interceptions and 3,056 yards. At the same time, he put together an impressive season on the ground, rushing for a career-best 828 yards and 11 scores. Howell has a chance to show off his arm talent this upcoming week at the combine, and with a good display, he might just work his way back into that top QB status.) (2-26-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/six-quarterbacks-for-lions-to-watch-at-scouting-combine
2022 NFL combine: Detroit Lions staring down crowded group at top of this year’s ho-hum quarterback class (Sam Howell (UNC): Sam Howell remains a popular mock choice for the Lions at the back of Round 1. He was considered one of the top prospects in this class heading into this season. But after losing some serious firepower himself in 2021, Howell started the year with some sloppy showing that dimmed some of his glow. His down season wasn’t as down as it seems. Howell threw for 3,056 yards with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His completion percentage dropped from 68.1% to 62.5% from 2020 to 2021. He took more responsibility on the offense, though. Howell ran for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns after netting only 181 rushing yards through his 25 games coming into the year.) (2-22-22): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/02/2022-nfl-combine-detroit-lions-staring-down-crowded-group-at-top-of-this-years-ho-hum-quarterback-class.html
Combine preview: 9 quarterbacks the Lions should be watching (Sam Howell, North Carolina, 6-foot-0 1⁄4, 221. Suggested by John. Once regarded as a potential candidate for the first overall pick, Howell struggled without the NFL-level offensive weapons he had in previous seasons. Howell is a tough competitor on the field, who plays with a ton of confidence, but it seemed to be missing at the Senior Bowl. He would benefit from showing his leadership skills at the Combine. Keep an eye on his feet in throwing drills because that is an area that can get sloppy when he loses focus.) (2-21-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/2/21/22943675/2022-nfl-combine-preview-9-quarterbacks-detroit-lions-watching
2022 Combine preview: Quarterback (4. Sam Howell, North Carolina, 6-1, 220: Howell is a pretty savvy player in the pocket with terrific mobility. He rushed for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns, which could really be a nice weapon for him in the red zone at the next level. He lost receivers and running backs to the NFL in last year's draft and was still able to throw for over 3,000 yards with 35 total touchdowns with less talent around him, which speaks to his raw ability. Teams will like how he operated in 2020 with all those NFL-caliber weapons around him.) (2-18-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2022-combine-preview-quarterback-corral-willis-pickett
2022 NFL draft film room: North Carolina QB Sam Howell (2-18-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-prospects-quarterback-sam-howell-north-carolina-film-room-highlights-video/
2022 NFL Draft Stock - Post-Senior Bowl (Down - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: While Howell did not have a terrible week of practice at the Senior Bowl, he didn't do well enough to light a fire under his draft stock. Despite the decent week of practice, Howell looks more likely to be a second-round pick rather than a first-rounder. He will need to have an excellent combine and pro day, plus nail his pre-draft interviews to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.) (2-15-22): https://walterfootball.com/draft2022stock_23.php
One thing learned about each QB at the Senior Bowl (Sam Howell, North Carolina: Howell's draft stock has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride. He was projected as a potential No. 1 overall selection coming into the season after a standout season with Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome. His first two seasons were defined by multiple late game comebacks and a fiery spirit. In the absence of those players, Howell really struggled initially. He remains one of the best deep-ball throwers in the game but there are concerns based around the idea that he could be a product of the talent around him. Those types of players can find success in the NFL but they will never rise to the level of being one of the game's best. Wilson felt as though Howell helped his stock in Mobile. According to TruMedia, Howell ranked second to last in sack rate at 12.9%. By comparison, Justin Fields had the highest percentage among the quarterbacks drafted in the first round round last year at 8.9%. The rest were at 4.0% or lower.) (2-10-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-draft-one-thing-learned-about-malik-willis-kenny-pickett-and-other-senior-bowl-quarterbacks/
2022 NFL Draft: Ranking the top five players at every position (1. Sam Howell: Howell gets the top spot in part because he did his best work at the youngest age. He also has far and away the most high-end throws of the group, with a draft-class best 85 big-time throws over his career.) (2-10-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-ranking-top-five-players-at-every-position
2022 NFL Draft: Pros and cons for PFF's top five quarterbacks (1. SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (PFF Big Board Rank: 16) - PROS: Howell has arm talent for days. He has been an elite deep-ball thrower over course of his career. The former Tar Heel is light on his feet in the pocket. He can make subtle and not-so-subtle moves to buy time. He has a thick build. Howell shrugs off defenders with relative ease and broke 65 tackles in 2021. CONS: His passing game could be described as “one and run.” His first instinct is to drop his eyes and bolt. The former UNC signal-caller inexplicably turns down open receivers too often. He doesn't have enough anticipatory throws. The UNC offense was almost all RPOs and go-balls, both of which he led the nation in.) (2-7-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-pros-and-cons-top-5-quarterbacks-2022-nfl-draft-sam-howell-matt-corral-desmond-ridder
2022 NFL draft: Updated QB rankings, post-Senior Bowl (5. Sam Howell | North Carolina: Howell may not be in the No. 1 overall pick conversation like he was in the preseason, but he bounced back from a forgettable season opener with a solid performance the rest of the year. He showed flashes throughout the week in Mobile, and has the tools to develop into a quality starter at the next level.) (2-6-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-rankings-quarterback-updated-senior-bowl-2022-malik-willis-kenny-pickett-matt-corral/
2022 NFL Senior Bowl Recap (North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell had an underwhelming game as a passer, but showed his toughness and willing to run. On Howell's first possession, Boye Mafe had a blind-side strip sack to force a force a punt. Howell bounced back to lead a two-minute drive, using his mobility to escape a sack, run for a first down on another play, and complete some short passes. However, the drive was killed when Howell held onto the ball too long and was strip-sacked by Jake Luketa after he used speed to run past Darian Kinnard. In the third quarter, Howell used his legs on a read option for a short touchdown run. Howell completed 6-of-9 passes for 67 yards while running for 29 yards on five carries with a touchdown. Howell did not do enough in Mobile to move the needle. He could get late first-round consideration and could easily end up being a second-round pick) (2-6-22): https://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2022recap.php
Senior Bowl recap: analysis, standouts (Sam Howell, QB, UNC: Howell quietly had a solid week, and like Willis, showed that his value lies in his leg and his rocket right arm. He was 6-for-9 for 67 yards through the air, and added 29 more yards on the ground (including a two-yard TD run) on five carries. Throughout his career in Chapel Hill, Howell has drawn comparisons to Baker Mayfield, but the reality is this: Mayfield was a better, more consistent passer coming out of Oklahoma while Howell is the better athlete. And like Willis, there needs to be a plan for Howell, though he did have the benefit of facing tougher competition on a weekly basis at UNC. You could see how a team might like his physical talents after his performance on Saturday.) (2-5-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/senior-bowl-2022-oklahoma-dl-perrion-winfrey-wins-mvp-malik-willis-showcases-potential-more-key-takeaways/live/
2022 NFL Senior Bowl Quarterback Analysis (Sam Howell, North Carolina: Sam Howell had a roller coaster of an afternoon. Things began poorly when his first pass was dropped, and then things got worse when he was strip-sacked as a result of blind-side pressure. Fortunately for Howell, a teammate of his recovered the fumble. Things improved for Howell after that. He showed off his great arm strength on his second drive. He also displayed some great mobility. On one play, he avoided a sack, scrambled left and found a receiver along the sideline for a first down. The play shouldn't have counted because the wideout couldn't get any feet inbounds, but the officials didn't see it and there is no replay review at the Senior Bowl, so the catch stood. Howell, however, fired a high pass and then fumbled yet again on a strip-sack. Once again, a teammate of his recovered. It seemed as though Howell's afternoon would be finished at halftime, but he took the field for a couple of drives in the third quarter. One of those possessions ended with a touchdown scramble on a read-option. This was one of two times on the drive that Howell scrambled well, with the first being a play in which Howell broke out of what seemed like a sure sack to run for a first down. Howell finished 6-of-9 for 67 yards, with two of his incompletions being drops. He also scrambled five times for 29 rushing yards and a touchdown. Howell could be chosen in the first round because of his high upside. 2022 NFL Draft Projection: Round 1-2) (2-5-22): https://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2022quarterbacks.php
Final Senior Bowl Practice Risers and Sliders: Malik Willis, Jalen Tolbert, and Jalen Pitre among the biggest winners (Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: After Sam Howell‘s performance in Mobile, it’s becoming more and more clear that 2021 was an anomaly for him. The issues he had in 2021 were not on display at the Senior Bowl. Instead, Howell delivered accurate shot after shot to his receivers. Howell’s delivery is compact and among the best in this draft, and it was clearly at the top of the class in Mobile. He showcased an ability to read his keys and make snappy decisions. His arm strength was never in question, but he put that on display with terrific deep shots in places where only his receivers could grab them. Howell’s stock is very much up.) (2-5-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-practice-risers-sliders-final/
Final Senior Bowl QB Power Rankings: Malik Willis, Sam Howell steal the show (2. Sam Howell, North Carolina: Making 2021 look like an anomaly, Sam Howell was sharp for the majority of the practices. He was the Day 1 winner of the group, putting on a display with his arm talent. Day 2 was a bit different, but he still had a great day overall. Howell showcased a great deep ball and even better timing and touch with a cast of receivers he hadn’t previously worked with. He also showed off his rushing ability, taking off on a couple of occasions after his keys were covered up. Howell was quick to react in the passing game during team drills and proved that he is more than capable of leading an NFL offense.) (2-5-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-qb-power-rankings-malik-willis-sam-howell/
2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl QB Review: Malik Willis and Desmond Ridder climbing up boards (SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (PFF Big Board Rank: 16): After losing four marquee weapons to the NFL prior to the 2021 season, Howell was forced to make up for a one-dimensional skill position group by utilizing his legs. He thrived in the ground game, even if he doesn't possess the same kind of athleticism as other quarterbacks in this class, generating the second-most runs of 10-plus yards (45) among FBS quarterbacks. And despite having few pass-catching weapons to speak of, Howell still earned an 80.3 passing grade for the season. His overall season mark stood at 90.9. Howell’s arm talent is in elite territory, and he proved that through three seasons of work at North Carolina and then again at the Senior Bowl. Howell led the first two days of practice in deep big-time throws, with four. ) (2-4-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-reeses-senior-bowl-quarterback-review-malik-willis-desmond-ridder
Senior Bowl notes: Rookie QBs, Patriots next offensive coordinator and more (Ask 20 scouts at the Senior Bowl to rank the six quarterbacks practicing in front of 32 NFL teams this week, and you’d probably receive 20 different answers. That’s what one executive told PFF on Thursday following the final Senior Bowl practice of the week before Saturday afternoon’s all-star game. The consensus seems to be that this is not a great year to need a young quarterback, though there are many teams who could use one. Nevada’s Carson Strong has injury concerns; Western Kentucky’s Bailey Zappe lacks zip; Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett didn’t have his hands measured, practiced with gloves and struggled throwing through a rainy Wednesday practice; Liberty’s Malik Willis has the best tools but lacks accuracy; and Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder and UNC’s Sam Howell didn’t exactly stand out from the crowd this week. (It’s worth noting that the last time I was at the Senior Bowl was in 2012 — I was busy covering AFC Championship Games while covering the New England Patriots in the meantime — when the quarterbacks were Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles, Brandon Weeden, Ryan Lindley and Kellen Moore. There were no true standouts that year, either, which goes to show that QBs can still have success without a stellar week in Mobile.)) (2-4-22): https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-doug-kyed-mailbag-senior-bowl-notes-2022-rookie-quarterbacks-patriots-next-offensive-coordinator
NFL Rumors & Draft News: Bubble at NFL Combine and Aaron Rodgers on the move? (Sam Howell and Kenny Pickett most impressive quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl
Tomorrow (February 4), I’ll have a little more on how scouts stacked players at the Senior Bowl. But as far as the quarterbacks are concerned, the scouts I spoke with came away most impressed with Sam Howell and Kenny Pickett. Howell was consistently the most accurate passer in practice and rarely had passes get away from him. Furthermore, scouts loved his compact delivery, arm strength, and ability to throw the deep pass. Pickett played well, had some terrific interviews, and really impressed during quarterback meetings. There is some concern about Pickett’s hand size as it was obvious to many Pickett struggled to grip the ball during Wednesday’s rainy practice. Scouts were not impressed with Bailey Zappe, pointing out the lack of size and arm strength. Those I spoke with say Zappe is a late-rounder who could fall out of the NFL Draft completely.) (2-4-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-rumors-draft-news-bubble-at-nfl-combine-and-aaron-rodgers-on-the-move/
2022 Senior Bowl Rumors: Friday (Many years, we see quarterback prospects rise as the NFL draft approaches. Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett is the consensus top quarterback and likely to be the first signal-caller drafted. Liberty's Malik Willis, however, has impressed teams at the Senior Bowl with his powerful arm and athleticism. He could be a riser who ends up going as a top-20 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. NFL team sources shared with WalterFootball.com they believe the appropriate value for Willis and North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell are early in the second round. Given the demand for quarterbacks and teams pushing players up, both Willis and Howell have a real shot to go in the first round, especially Willis. Even though Willis and Howell are second-round-caliber players per many scouts' grades from last fall, Willis and Howell to a lesser extent could be the rising quarterbacks this year.) (2-4-22): https://walterfootball.com/nflhotpress/article/Senior-Bowl-2022-Rumors-Friday
SAM HOWELL, MALIK WILLIS, OTHERS TO WATCH IN SHRINE, SENIOR BOWLS (Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: Another early entry into the 2022 NFL Draft, Howell was perceived by some as having a disappointing season after beginning the year as a Heisman hopeful. In reality, he played remarkably well, given that the Tar Heels lost their top two receivers and running backs to the NFL a year ago, putting pressure on the QB to carry the load. Howell literally tried to do so, jumping from 146 rushing yards and five scores in 2020 to 828 yards and 11 TDs this past season. While no one is going to confuse Howell with Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson, the grit he demonstrated in trying to will the Tar Heels to wins won’t be overlooked by scouts. That will be especially true if the decision-making and ball placement that helped him toss 92 touchdowns against 23 interceptions in three starting seasons show up in Mobile.) (2-3-22): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/sam-howell-malik-willis-others-to-watch-in-shrine-senior-bowls
PFN's 2022 Senior Bowl Practice Report: American Team (Thursday - Howell could have been sharper during both 7-on-7 and team drills. A few misses and one misread soured his day. He was better during 1-on-1s with his accuracy, but we don’t praise the chef for being able to cook a steak to the correct temperature.) (2-3-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-practice-report-american-team/
Observations from the third day of 2022 Senior Bowl practices (All about the QBs: Duce Staley and the Lions finished out the week of practices Thursday with a little throwing competition between quarterbacks Malik Willis, Sam Howell and Bailey Zappe. First, they had to throw into a small net target from 10 yards away. Zappe hit one of three throws, while Willis and Howell went 0-fer. Next, Staley set up a large red garbage can in the back corner of the end zone, and each signal caller got three throws to try and make it in the bucket from the 20-yard line. Willis hit the bucket twice, though it didn't go in. Zappe and Howell had some throws come close, but failed to make it or hit the bucket.) (2-3-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-senior-bowl-day-3-observations-willis-malone-shakir
2022 Senior Bowl: Prospects with most to gain, lose (Most to Gain - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: A year ago, Howell (51st) was on the short list of possible No. 1 overall selections. That distinction came after he completed 68.1% of his throws with 30 touchdowns to just seven interceptions in his true sophomore season. Then Howell lost four skill-position players to the draft, and his production dipped. We should've seen it coming. The talent is there, however. He's a shorter but stocky runner with a surprisingly big arm. He's not a No. 1 overall pick candidate anymore, but if the young yet experienced passer can steady his play at the Senior Bowl, it'll go a long way toward him sneaking into the back end of the first round.) (2-3-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-senior-bowl-sam-howell-among-prospects-with-most-to-gain-while-fellow-qb-could-see-draft-stock-slide/
Senior Bowl Day 2 notes: Rain, wind no match for Willis (For the American squad, Sam Howell showed off his lively arm. And he looked a little sharper than what we saw on Tuesday. There were times he missed throws -- again, that's to be expected, especially on deep balls when it's both wet and windy -- but as one NFL executive told us, what you want is improvement from one day to the next. Howell did that, and he'll have one more opportunity to do it again.) (2-2-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-senior-bowl-rain-wind-was-no-match-for-malik-willis-on-day-2-of-practice/
Senior Bowl practice Day 1: 6 standouts from Tuesday, QB observations (North Carolina QB Sam Howell — Howell probably had the best day overall, connecting on some deep shots, while maintaining a nice level of poise in the pocket. That said, near the end of practice, Howell made a couple of questionable decisions, including one pass that came far too late and was nearly picked off.) (2-2-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/2/2/22914315/senior-bowl-practice-day-1-6-standouts-from-tuesday-qb-observations
2022 Senior Bowl: Day 2 Updates (On Tuesday, quarterback Sam Howell had the best day of the quarterbacks on the American squad. He showcased his arm talent early in the day, but struggled with poor tosses near the end of practice.) (2-2-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/2022-senior-bowl-live-updates-day-two
QBs struggle at Senior Bowl, but Lions remain intrigued by Malik Willis’ dual-threat capabilities (2-2-22): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/02/qbs-struggle-at-senior-bowl-but-lions-remain-intrigued-by-malik-willis-dual-threat-capabilities.html
PFN's 2022 Senior Bowl Practice Report: National Team (Wednesday - Another strong day for Sam Howell. He dropped several deep corner passes on the money during drills and looked good in scrimmage. On occasion, the ball got away from him, but the rain this afternoon was worse than the morning’s practice.) (2-2-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-practice-report-national-team/
Senior Bowl Practice Risers and Sliders: Sam Howell, D’Vonte Price, and Dominique Robinson stand out (Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: Sam Howell made a big impression today and did so from the get-go. He threw strikes downfield, placing the long ball into his receivers’ hands. He displayed a major league arm while making all the throws, and unlike many of the other quarterbacks on hand, looked smooth and fluid taking snaps under center then dropping into the pocket. — Tony Pauline) (2-2-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-risers-sliders-tuesday/
Senior Bowl QB Power Rankings: Sam Howell ascends to the top (1. Sam Howell, North Carolina: Arguably the best performance for any offensive player on the day went to Sam Howell. The North Carolina quarterback showcased arm strength and accuracy on multiple occasions. His throws were crisp and on time, while few were inaccurate or misplaced. Howell also showcased his ability to scan the field, read his receivers and coverage, and understand when throws are there or not. Sometimes, his receivers didn’t help him out with untimely drops, but his accuracy was there. Howell was clean through the day and did his best to elevate the players around him. A couple more days like this from him, and he’ll firmly land back in that Day 1 conversation, if not land ultimately as the first QB taken from this group.) (2-2-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-qb-power-rankings-sam-howell-ascends-to-the-top/
2022 Senior Bowl Day 1 notebook: QBs front and center (The American Team, coached by the Lions, included quarterbacks Sam Howell, Malik Willis and Bailey Zappe. Taking in events live and having not yet seen the practice tape, my initial reaction is that Zappe had the cleanest day of any of the passers. The reality is that he reminds us in some ways of Taylor Heinicke, and that's not a backhanded compliment but a testament to a player who doesn't have all the physical gifts of his colleagues but still finds a way to make plays. Howell, meanwhile, showed off a strong arm, and was accurate against air. Willis showed off his mobility, his off-platform playmaking ability, and above all else, a cannon for a right arm. Of the six, Willis is the most intriguing for us and has a chance to really change people's minds this week.) (2-1-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-senior-bowl-quarterbacks-look-to-separate-themselves-wide-receivers-edge-rushers-shine-on-day-1/
PFN's 2022 Senior Bowl Practice Report: American Team (Tuesday - Sam Howell looked terrific from the get-go. He displayed a major league arm, a command of the offense, and threw some strikes down the field, hitting his receivers in stride.) (2-1-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-practice-report-american-team/
If Sam Howell continues strong Senior Bowl, Detroit Lions could fall in love with UNC QB (2-1-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/if-sam-howell-continues-strong-senior-bowl-lions-could-fall-in-love-with-unc-qb/
2022 Senior Bowl: Tuesday's American Team Practice Report (Howell throws passes more instinctively than Willis and is a more innate passer with accuracy. In the one-on-one receiver-vs.-cornerback portion, Howell threw some beautiful deep balls downfield, dropping in precision passes with good placement. He had some pretty passes dropped even though he threw a very catchable ball. Howell missed some throws from not being on the same page as his new receivers, but that could be cleared up over the next few days. Howell does not have the skill set of a the typical high first-rounder, but he does have some natural passing ability.) (2-1-22): https://walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2022practice2.php
2022 Senior Bowl Quarterbacks: Can Kenny Pickett, Carson Strong, or Sam Howell cement themselves as QB1? (Carson Strong, Sam Howell, Malik Willis to battle it out. Though it would’ve been nice to see them all on the same team, Strong, Howell, and Willis will look to jump their cohorts to become QB1. They each have talent in their arm to do so, while Willis presents trouble with his legs. Unfortunately for him, Willis’ legs will be a non-factor in the simulated Senior Bowl practice drills. Instead, he’ll get to show off his immense –and improving — arm talent. Strong will be able to demonstrate the power that routinely saw him layer throws over defenders to every level of the field. And for Howell, his arm talent will be on display, as he has a bevy of throws in his arsenal that are considered to be NFL throws.) (2-1-22): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-senior-bowl-quarterbacks/
2022 Reese's Senior Bowl: Top draft prospect at every position (QB: SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA (DRAFT BOARD Rank: 16th, 2021 Overall Grade: 90.9): Howell’s biggest concerns as a prospect aren’t necessarily physical in nature, which is always a good starting point for an NFL hopeful. The worries are about how his production from a gimmicky offense and propensity for breaking the pocket will translate to the league. Howell can put those concerns to bed by looking like the same player in a pro-style offense at the Senior Bowl.) (2-1--22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-reeses-senior-bowl-top-draft-prospects-every-position
Holmes appreciates how all 3 American Team QBs battled through adversity (Howell had a terrific sophomore season in 2020, and was being talked about as the No. 1 overall pick in this class around this time a year ago, but he lost all of his skill position weapons to the NFL and saw his yards, touchdowns and completion percentage dip. Will he excel this week with better talent around him?) (1-31-22): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/holmes-appreciates-how-all-3-american-team-qbs-battled-through-adversity
Senior Bowl preview: 5 burning questions for scouts (2. How will Sam Howell respond to adversity? One scout familiar with Howell's career at North Carolina graded his accuracy and ball placement very highly, but noted he has a tendency to get flustered and press after a mistake, sometimes resulting in another. Along with accuracy, Howell checks the box when it comes to running skills and toughness -- two things that aren't so easy to assess in the Senior Bowl practice week because quarterbacks are protected from contact. Poise, however, is on display. How Howell performs immediately following a bad play will be among the key things to watch with one of the draft's top quarterback talents.) (1-28-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-senior-bowl-preview-five-burning-questions-for-nfl-scouts-hitting-mobile
A closer look at the Lions' Senior Bowl roster: Offense (Howell saw his stock drop a little bit this season due to a couple bad performances, but he did lose all of his skill-position weapons to last year's draft. He still threw for over 3,000 yards with 24 touchdowns and nine picks. He also rushed for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's athletic and has a chance to cement himself as the top quarterback in the group with a good week in Mobile.) (1-24-21): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/a-closer-look-at-the-lions-senior-bowl-roster-offense-willis-cook-tolbert
NFL Draft: Introducing the top QB prospects (Sam Howell, North Carolina - Strengths: Big arm. Will stretch defenses vertically and can make the long sideline throw from the far hash. Tough runner. Not timid about taking, attempting to run through contact. Will break some tackles. Play is never over for him. Good amount of experience (37 games) for only being 21 years old. Weaknesses: Frenetic playing style. Often holds on to the ball far too long. Will not be able to ad lib with as much success scrambling in the NFL as he did in college. Doesn't have crazy arm talent; zip on his passes noticeably subsides when he's on the run or needs to throw from an imperfect platform. Average-at-best athlete by today's quarterback standards. His accuracy is a roller coaster. Coverage reading needs work. Occasionally gets overaggressive and puts the ball in precarious situations. Stylistic NFL comparison: More polished Josh Dobbs) (1-20-22): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-draft-qb-prospects-strengths-weaknesses-and-pro-comparisons-for-the-top-signal-callers/
Draft Analyst: QB Sam Howell Going to Be 'Huge Story' at Senior Bowl (1-19-22): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-will-scout-sam-howell-senior-bowl
Breaking down the Detroit Lions’ Senior Bowl roster on offense (The short version is, Willis and Howell are both high upside, potential first-rounders who have above-average arm strength, are willing to use their mobility to gash defenses (Willis more so), but both display questionable decision making that needs to be corrected before they can step on an NFL field.) (1-18-22): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/1/18/22888349/detroit-lions-senior-bowl-roster-offense-analysis-breakdown-2022-american
PFF's All-Bowl Team: Dawgs dominate on D and a surprise at QB (QB: SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS - North Carolina was on the wrong side of one of bowl season's biggest upsets, as it was favored by double digits and ended up losing by double digits to South Carolina. Howell, however, was far from the reason. The Tar Heels quarterback earned a 92.5 passing grade in the Duke's Mayo Bowl, recording three big-time throws and zero turnover-worthy plays in the process. It was the highest passing grade by a Power 5 quarterback from this year's bowl season.) (1-17-22): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-all-bowl-team-2021
Lions could be coaching their next quarterback in Senior Bowl (Howell entered this season as a potential top-10 pick, but his stock took a bit of a hit after a less prolific year passing the ball. Still, he finished his college career with well over 10,000 passing yards and 92 touchdowns to 23 picks. He also rushed for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.) (1-14-22): https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/lions-could-coach-their-next-quarterback-in-senior-bowl
'22 draft: 10 prospects who will rise at Senior Bowl (1. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: I expect Howell to make a big move up draft boards after impressing during Senior Bowl practices (and the NFL Scouting Combine in March) with the velocity of his passes and the majestic arc of his deep throws. Give Howell a day or two to get on the same page with his new receivers in Mobile, and he will look as accurate as he did throwing to Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome during the 2020 college football season. Watch for him to throw from different arm angles and run with determination (828 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground in 2021!) when the opportunity arises. There's no doubt in my mind that UNC's all-time leading passer will make a strong first impression on the Lions, who have two first-round picks this year, a need for a long-term answer at QB and will be coaching Howell at the all-star game.) (1-14-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-10-prospects-who-will-boost-their-stock-at-senior-bowl
Top 15 2022 NFL Draft prospect performances in 2021 college football bowl games (1. QB SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (PFF Grade: 92.4, Opponent: SOUTH CAROLINA): Don’t pin this loss on Howell, as he was balling up a storm vs. the Gamecocks. He was downgraded on only two of his 27 dropbacks. While 12-of-20 for 205 yards with a score doesn’t sound particularly special, his receivers dropped four of his passes, which cost him 61 air yards. His ball placement was impeccable all day en route to a 92.4 overall grade. He’s firmly in the mix for QB1.) (1-12-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-2022-nfl-draft-prospect-performances-2021-bowl-games
2022 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Quarterbacks (3. SAM HOWELL, UNC (BIG BOARD RANK: 31): pHowell may have taken a step back as a passer, but he proved to be a legitimate threat as a runner this season. He broke an absurd 63 tackles and ran for 1,072 yards this season.) (1-6-22): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-2022-nfl-draft-rankings-quarterbacks-kenny-pickett-matt-corral-sam-howell-malik-willis
2022 NFL Draft Stock - Post-New Year's Bowls (Up - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: As we reported in the Hot Press, sources from one NFL team say their second-rated quarterback is North Carolina's Sam Howell. "I could see Howell rising through the process, and it would not shock me at all if he bubbles up into the first round," said an NFC director of player personnel. "His tape was a lot better than I expected. He has some natural passer and instincts to him." Howell went under the radar to a degree in 2021 because the supporting cast that helped him be so successful in 2020 had departed for the NFL. Ole Miss' Matt Corral and Liberty's Malik Willis have had higher consensus projections for the 2022 NFL Draft. Some in the media even have had Nevada's Carson Strong as a projected high first-rounder. "Corral and is a rhythm and anticipation passer," said the NFC director. "I question his arm strength, and his deep accuracy is off. Willis doesn't see the field well, and his awareness is bad. I was disappointed in his tape. I was hoping to see Jalen Hurts. We don't have a first-round grade on Strong. He has good arm strength and can throw it far, but he is a touch passer and not a ton of zip on his passes. He doesn't drive balls into tight windows. He's a marginal athlete with marginal mobility." While Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett has established himself as the top consensus quarterback for the 2022 NFL Draft, there is a wide array of opinions among NFL teams about who comes next, and some franchises have Howell as their second-rated quarterback at this early point in the 2022 NFL Draft process.) (1-4-22): https://walterfootball.com/draft2022stock_18.php
North Carolina QB Sam Howell to declare for 2022 NFL draft (1-2-22): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2022/01/01/nfl-news-draft-sam-howell-north-carolina-declares/
UNC QB Sam Howell declares for 2022 NFL Draft (1-1-22): https://www.nfl.com/news/north-carolina-qb-sam-howell-intends-to-enter-2022-nfl-draft
UNC QB Sam Howell quiet in Mayo Bowl loss vs. South Carolina (12-31-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/12/30/nfl-news-draft-college-football-bowl-games-sam-howell-north-carolina/
NFL Hot Press: Some Teams Have Howell Second-Highest QB (12-30-21): https://walterfootball.com/nflhotpress/article/Some-Teams-Have-Howell-Second-Highest-QB
2022 NFL Draft Stock - Pre-Bowls II (Up - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: In speaking to team sources, opinions are all over the place on the 2022 quarterbacks. Kenny Pickett is emerging as the consensus No. 1 quarterback, but after Pickett, there is a wide variety of opinions. Some team sources feel Howell is very overrated, while others think he could bubble up into the first round and be drafted over Ole Miss' Matt Corral and Liberty's Malik Willis. Howell's junior year was down compared to the previous two, when he had a better supporting cast, but he is a natural passer and some evaluators think he could be a quality starter in the NFL. Across the pre-draft process, Howell could rise.) (12-21-21): https://walterfootball.com/draft2022stock_16.php
10 bowl game prospects to watch this week (9. Quarterback Sam Howell, North Carolina
Dukes Mayo Bowl (North Carolina vs. South Carolina), Thurs., Dec. 30 - Howell's sophomore season in 2020 was more productive, but he was playing with better talent around him. He'll likely still be considered among the top five or so quarterback prospects in this class after completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 2,851 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 11 games.) (12-27-21): https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-bowl-game-prospects-to-watch-this-week-hutchinson-dean-williams
2022 NFL Draft Big Board: PFF's Top 100 Prospects (32. QB SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA: Howell may have taken a step back as a passer, but he proved to be a legitimate threat as a runner this season. He broke an absurd 63 tackles and ran for 1,072 yards this season.) (12-27-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-board-big-board
Top NFL draft prospects in every 2021-22 college football bowl game (North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Thursday, Dec. 30 | 11:30 AM EST | ESPN - QB SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA: Howell had a disappointing junior campaign after losing his top two receiving targets from a year ago. His passing grade dropped from 91.5 to 76.4. Once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, Howell may very well return in 2022 to fulfill those hopes.) (12-21-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-2022-nfl-draft-prospects-every-college-football-bowl-game
Malik Willis, Matt Corral and more: Who is the best QB in the 2022 NFL Draft rankings? (4. Sam Howell, North Carolina (6-1, 220 pounds): Howell was everyone's favorite top quarterback in college football with big-time NFL buzz until he came out struggling with mental and physical mistakes for the Tar Heels. Some of it is tied to having a dwindled supporting cast, but Howell has fought through the adversity both in and out of the pocket to show his assets tied to smarts, accuracy and relentlessness.) (12-16-21): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/malik-willis-matt-corral-nfl-draft-2022-rankings/1j34cegt67nqt1g7rgb0d1thc7
Clustering the top 2022 NFL Draft quarterback prospects: Ole Miss' Matt Corral, Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett and more (SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (PFF QB3, #31 OVERALL) (Scheme: Easy Buttons, Rushing Production: Rushing Threat, Passing Production: Short Success): Much like Matt Corral in a macro sense, the Tar Heels' offense made Howell’s life very easy by calling RPOs, screens and play action. Howell, however, has been a more accurate quarterback than the FBS average, unlike Corral. This is particularly clear at the line of scrimmage, where he’s in the top quarter of the sample. That, of course, could be inflated by his high RPO rate. His accuracy in the other parts of the field was middling to below average, although he came into this season without all of his top targets from 2020 (WRs Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown, RBs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter). In 2021, he supplemented his passing production with a shockingly great rushing output, averaging 3.34 rushing yards over expectation per attempt. That marks the third-highest figure from a quarterback in this sample, trailing only Marcus Mariota and Lamar Jackson. Athletic testing numbers will sort out whether he can sustain this production in the NFL, but if nothing else, it is indicative he can be a reasonable threat to keep defenses honest on Sundays. Interestingly, this makes Howell's statistical profile extremely similar to Lamar Jackson's, in addition to their carbon-copy physical profiles.) (12-15-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-college-football-clustering-2022-nfl-draft-quarterback-prospects-ole-miss-matt-corral-pittsburgh-kenny-pickett
Top 10 Quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft: Kenny Pickett continues his ascension to the top (4. Sam Howell, North Carolina: In a way, Sam Howell didn’t need to do much to maintain his place in the list of top 10 quarterbacks for the 2022 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, he needed to at least prove his freshman and sophomore seasons of tape weren’t flukes. After a couple of missteps in the beginning stages, Howell rebounded nicely and proved he is completely capable of changing a franchise’s trajectory. Howell has an NFL-caliber arm, routinely finding his receivers open in space and throwing them open in coverage. He understands coverage and has enough arm strength to make opposite-hash throws to the intermediate and deep levels of the field. There may be some growing pains, and he may need some seasoning to run an NFL offense, but Howell’s skills are NFL-ready.) (12-10-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-quarterbacks-in-the-2022-nfl-draft-kenny-pickett-matt-corral-continue-their-ascension/
NFL Draft prospects 2022: Updated big board of top 100 players overall, position rankings (27. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina (6-1, 220 pounds): Howell is a smart, seasoned and accurate pocket passer. He doesn't have the dynamic athleticism of Rattler and Willis but it wouldn't be surprising if he became a mashup of Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones.) (12-2-21): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-prospects-2022-player-rankings-big-board/15xmexshw7ywc1u9ijg32sjwhr
2022 NFL Draft Big Board: PFF's Top 100 Prospects (31. QB SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA: Howell may have taken a step back as a passer, but he proved to be a legitimate threat as a runner this season. He broke an absurd 63 tackles and ran for 1,072 yards this season.) (11-29-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-board-big-board
Is North Carolina Quarterback Sam Howell Detroit Lions Future Signal-Caller (11-27-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/is-sam-howell-lions-qb-of-future
Highlighting Sam Howell (11-26-21):https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/11/26/sam-howell-north-carolina-north-carolina-state/
2022 NFL draft: Ole Miss' Matt Corral might be QB1, but it's a drop from recent drafts (3. Sam Howell, North Carolina
(Last week: 3rd): Howell sat for the game against Wofford with a chest injury after taking a beating the week prior against Pitt. The Tar Heels have Friday's game against North Carolina State left, and they're now bowl-eligible, so Howell could still have two games remaining in his college career.) (11-22-21):https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-ole-miss-matt-corral-might-be-qb-1-but-its-a-drop-from-recent-drafts-184710197.html
Top 10 Quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft: Kenny Pickett continues his ascension to the top (4. Sam Howell, North Carolina: In a way, Sam Howell didn’t need to do much to maintain his place in the list of top 10 quarterbacks for the 2022 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, he needed to at least prove his freshman and sophomore seasons of tape weren’t flukes. After a couple of missteps in the beginning stages, Howell rebounded nicely and proved he is completely capable of changing a franchise’s trajectory. Howell has an NFL-caliber arm, routinely finding his receivers open in space and throwing them open in coverage. He understands coverage and has enough arm strength to make opposite-hash throws to the intermediate and deep levels of the field. There may be some growing pains, and he may need some seasoning to run an NFL offense, but Howell’s skills are NFL-ready.) (11-20-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-quarterbacks-in-the-2022-nfl-draft-kenny-pickett-matt-corral-continue-their-ascension/
North Carolina Tar Heels QB Sam Howell out with upper-body injury vs. Wofford (11-20-21): https://abc11.com/sports/north-carolina-tar-heels-qb-sam-howell-out-with-upper-body-injury-v/11257248/
Sam Howell NFL Draft Status: Will he declare for 2022 NFL Draft? (11-15-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/sam-howell-nfl-draft-status-will-he-declare-for-2022-nfl-draft/
2022 NFL draft: Updated QB rankings (5. Sam Howell | North Carolina: Ever since the season-opening debacle against Virginia Tech, Howell has quietly put together a solid season. He may not be the potential No. 1 overall pick many hoped he’d be in the preseason, but he’s a well-rounded prospect with all the physical and mental tools to be worthy of first-round consideration.) (11-15-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-rankings-quarterback-sam-hartman-matt-corral-kenny-pickett-malik-willis-sam-howell/
2022 NFL draft: Kenny Pickett-Sam Howell duel, Phil Jurkovec's return tilt QB rankings (3. Sam Howell, North Carolina (Last week: 3rd): Almost the inverse of Pickett, Howell started out very slowly before coming on against Pitt and making some tremendous plays in the comeback, forcing overtime on the road in tough conditions. While Pickett thrived, Howell struggled — and vice versa — all the way through to OT. In a stroke of bad luck, the rain went from heavy to downright biblical once the Tar Heels got the ball for their overtime possession. It's nearly criminal to suggest Howell blew it for UNC late considering those conditions, and he deserves a ton of credit for willing his team back. Without Howell, this team might have two or three wins this season. But his early-game struggles also can't go overlooked, even with borderline awful pass protection again (six sacks). We're fans of Howell, and the NFL likes him more than some online evaluators do. He's far from a complete package, but there are enough alluring traits in his evaluation to make him a solid-to-good QB prospect.) (11-15-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-kenny-pickett-sam-howell-duel-phil-jukovecs-return-tilt-qb-rankings-180259054.html
Former NFL scout believes Sam Howell is a 5th-7th round pick (11-14-21): https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2021/11/sam-howell-4/
Quarterback prospects Sam Howell, Kenny Pickett to face off in UNC-Pitt (11-11-21): https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/quarterback-prospects-sam-howell-kenny-pickett-face-unc-pitt?
Sam Howell vs. Kenny Pickett: Thursday night showdown of top 2022 NFL Draft quarterbacks (11-11-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/sam-howell-vs-kenny-pickett-thursday-night-showdown-of-top-2022-nfl-draft-quarterbacks/
Detroit Lions 2022 draft watch: Top QBs face-off on Thursday night (Sam Howell, Quarterback, North Carolina (Junior)
6-foot-1, 220 pounds - While Pickett has steadily been trending up, Howell has been on a bit of a rollercoaster. Entering the season, he was viewed as one of the top-two quarterbacks in this class. Then a three-interception opening game—including a poor decision that ended their chances of coming back—resulted in a loss to Virginia Tech and left a sour taste in evaluators' mouths. Since then, Howell has worked his way back into the hunt but not having the weapons he has had in previous years—RB Javonte Williams (second round), WR Dyami Brown (third), RB Michael Carter (fourth), and Dazz Newsome (sixth) were all drafted in 2021—has exposed some bad habits. Yes, a drop-off in production was expected this season, but there was also hope that he would be able to elevate the younger players on the roster. Instead, we have seen him alter his game, showing more versatility, specifically as a runner. In six of his nine games, Howell has rushed for at least 98 yards (over 100 if you eliminate sack yardage) and has run for eight touchdowns. Last week, against then-undefeated Wake Forest, Howell threw for 216 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns. You can see on the run, he doesn’t have elite athleticism, but there is stylistically a lot of Baker Mayfield to his game, and he has the desire and competitiveness to get the job done. That stylistic comparison translates to his throwing style as well. Howell has a quick release, isn't afraid to uncork the deep shot, throws a catchable ball, and is accurate at all three levels (though his consistency needs to be improved). Since his Week 1 three-interception debacle, he has thrown 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions—a bit off the pace of his previous two seasons, but again, that was to be expected.) (11-11-21): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/11/11/22775722/detroit-lions-2022-draft-watch-top-quarterback-kenny-pickett-sam-howell-pittsburgh-north-carolina
2022 NFL draft: Matt Corral outshines Malik Willis in QB showdown (3. Sam Howell, North Carolina (Last week: 5th): Very quietly, Howell has been playing some very good football of late, at times carrying the team on his back with his arm and even his legs. His running ability has been allowed to shine this season, at times out of necessity, but it's not a development that should be overlooked. Howell turned in his fifth 100-yard rushing effort of the season, running for 104 yards and two TDs. Remarkably, all eight of his running TDs this season have been from 10 yards out or longer. He's routinely pinballing off defenders for extra yards, and that dimension was a big part of the Tar Heels' impressive takedown of previously unbeaten Wake Forest. Howell now is the school's all-time passing-yards leader, breaking T.J. Yates' mark in the big victory, and also its record holder for total offense yards. But it's his running ability that has been a truly welcome development this season, making him an even more well-rounded prospect.) (11-8-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-matt-corral-outshines-malik-willis-in-qb-showdown-182430797.html
North Carolina surge deals Wake Forest its first defeat (Howell threw for 216 yards and rushed for 104.) (11-6-21): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/11/06/north-carolina-surge-deals-wake-forest-its-first-defeat/
Malik Willis vs. Matt Corral: Who is the No. 1 QB in the 2022 NFL Draft rankings? (6. Sam Howell, North Carolina: Howell (6-1, 220 pounds) was everyone's favorite top quarterback in college football with big-time NFL buzz until he came out struggling with mental and physical mistakes for the Tar Heels. Some of it is tied to having a dwindled supporting cast, but Howell has fought through the adversity both in and out of the pocket to show his assets tied to smarts, accuracy and relentlessness.) (11-5-21): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/malik-willis-matt-corral-nfl-draft-2022-rankings/1j34cegt67nqt1g7rgb0d1thc7
Detroit Lions 2022 NFL draft watch: Meet two top QB prospects facing off at noon Saturday (Sam Howell, North Carolina: The junior took a big step back (just like many of the Tar Heels) this season; his seven interceptions through eight games have already matched last season’s 12-game total and his completion percentage dropped from 68.1% to 63.2%. One bright spot: Howell has averaged 5.2 yards a carry for 595 yards (despite losing nearly 100 yards in sacks) and six touchdowns. Howell can pick up a bit of first-round shine at noon Saturday with a star turn against No. 9 Wake Forest (yeah, we didn’t think we’d ever type those words either) on ABC.) (11-5-21): https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2021/11/05/detroit-lions-2022-nfl-draft-top-quarterback-prospects/6294529001/
2022 NFL draft: Can Nevada's Carson Strong end up as QB1? (5. Sam Howell, North Carolina (Last week: 4th): Howell played well in the loss at Notre Dame, continuing to make big strides as a runner and find ways to lead the Tar Heels into the end zone after some earlier-season ups and downs. He's a bit of a confounding prospect in some respects, but watching him bounce off Irish linebackers' tackle attempts has us thinking we need to reevaluate just how effective a scrambler he might be at the next level.) (11-1-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-can-nevadas-carson-strong-end-up-as-qb-1-154715450.html
Stock Watch: Shaky Saturday (Stock Shaky: Sam Howell, UNC: Inconsistency has perhaps been the best way to describe Sam Howell’s 2021 campaign. He entered the season as one of the names often mentioned at the top of the draft board, but he has not quite put things together. But Saturday night on the road against a ranked opponent gave him a chance to perhaps turn that story around. Unfortunately for Howell and the Tar Heels, North Carolina came up short in a losing effort to Notre Dame. Now, it was not all bad for Howell. He threw for a touchdown and added this 31-yard touchdown run as well. His ability with his legs has perhaps been one area where he has shown some development this season, and this touchdown run comes on the heels of an impressive TD run against Miami a week ago. However, Howell did throw an interception in this game, on the drive just before this scoring scamper. Now perhaps this was some miscommunication between quarterback and receiver, but it also looks as if Howell might have simply underthrown this, allowing the safety to jump the route. To his credit, he rebounded with the scoring run on the next possession, but the interception gave him seven on the season, tying his interception mark from both 2019 and 2020. Howell did put together a decent drive in the closing minute, moving UNC down into the red zone trailing by ten. But he was flagged for intentional grounding with under 20 seconds left, which really put the Tar Heels behind the eight ball. Howell is still a talented quarterback and there are things he does well, and his athleticism has impressed the past few weeks. But decision making and accuracy are still areas where he could stand to show some improvement.) (10-31-21): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/sam-howell-kenny-pickett-matt-corral-carson-strong/
What happened to Sam Howell? How North Carolina QB's stats, draft stock have taken big hits in 2021 (10-30-21): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/sam-howell-draft-stats-north-carolina-qb/pg4647byg2j31sbo7edv6uwtx
2022 NFL draft: Liberty's Malik Willis tries to crash top of QB power rankings (4. Sam Howell, North Carolina (Last week: 4th): We have had Howell ahead of Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder all season long, and that's drawn the attention of some readers who have asked: but why? So we checked around a bit late Saturday and early Sunday, and two of the three evaluators with whom we connected agreed with us. Howell has maintained a pretty healthy respect in NFL circles, despite his statistical drop this season. One undeniable reason is how much UNC lost to the draft this spring and how poor the offensive line is. Most weeks, Howell is running for his life. And actually, it's a facet of his game he's been able to showcase more than expected. Howell and the Tar Heels were on bye this week. They face three ranked teams — at No. 11 Notre Dame, versus No. 13 Wake Forest and at No. 17 Pitt — in the next 17 days. Expect a slew of NFL evaluators at the Howell-Pickett matchup in three weeks.) (10-25-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-libertys-malik-willis-tries-to-crash-top-of-qb-power-rankings-191922092.html
2022 NFL Draft: Evaluating the quarterback class at midseason (Sam Howell, North Carolina, 6-1, 220, Junior: Howell entered the 2021 season as one of my favorite quarterback prospects, and while his play has dropped this year, he remains high on my list. Most hard-core college football fans recognize that the Tar Heels lost a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball to the NFL draft a year ago, and Howell would have been wise to follow his top two running backs (Javonte Williams and Michael Carter) and receivers (Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome) had he been eligible. Instead, he was left to carry the load for UNC this year, with predictable results. After dominating the ACC with 68 TD passes against just 14 picks in his first two seasons, Howell’s numbers have dropped in virtually every category this season. He is completing a career-low 61.1% of his passes and has "just" 18 touchdowns with six picks. Lost in the criticism of his game, however, is the fact that Howell has nearly tripled his rushing yards and already matched his previous career high of five rushing touchdowns this season. His tape screams of a player attempting to do everything for his team, sometimes to its (and his own) detriment. It does not take too much Carolina blue-tinted glasses, however, to imagine his stock falling less with the NFL than with the media, especially when he is projected with better supporting talent. Howell lacks ideal size, but he has shown durability, toughness and competitiveness throughout his career, as well as good accuracy to all levels of the field. He reads defenses well, often looking off opponents only to come back and bite them. Howell is the type of player who will earn Day 2 grades from scouts but could sneak into the first round.) (10-22-21): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2022-nfl-draft-evaluating-the-quarterback-class-at-midseason
2022 NFL Draft Rumors: Matt Corral and the latest on the QB1 battle (Who has had a bigger fall this season: Spencer Rattler, Sam Howell, or Malik Willis? Pick your poison with this one. Sam Howell’s play has hurt North Carolina at times this year and has resulted in Tar Heels’ losses.) (10-20-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-rumors-2021-cfbwk-8/
2022 NFL draft: How high can Pitt's Kenny Pickett rise in QB power rankings? (4. Sam Howell, North Carolina
(Last week: 3rd) - Howell is having a strange season. He's lacking in the big-play department and seems good for at least one "what was that?" decision per outing. That one came on his telegraphed swing-pass INT early in Saturday's game against Miami this weekend. He also very clearly was the victim of some poor protection, which has been a theme all season, some passive play calling and some wicked dropped passes, such as an on-target slant in the second quarter that probably should have resulted in a 64-yard TD. Every game seems like this. Like Willis, Howell will be a fascinating study — one whose virtues and warts must be weighed readily and carefully together during a mass tape-viewing session at season's end. Could he be a first-round pick? Sure. But have we unearthed some hidden traits in Howell's game so far this season? No, we have not.) (10-18-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-how-high-can-pitts-kenny-pickett-rise-in-qb-power-rankings-164240764.html
2022 NFL Draft Stock Report: Isaiah Likely and Jaquarii Roberson boost their stock (Sliders - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: If there’s one highly rated quarterback playing worse than Rattler, it would be Sam Howell. His interceptions and inability to protect the ball cost the Tar Heels during Saturday’s loss to Florida State. Howell has struggled to complete 50% of his passes on several occasions this season and has not shown the ability to carry North Carolina’s offense — something you want to see from a quarterback who projects as a top pick.) (10-11-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-nfl-draft-stock-report-isaiah-likely-and-jaquarii-roberson-boost-their-stock-cfbwk-6/
2022 NFL draft: Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler sinks in QB power rankings after Texas benching (3. Sam Howell, North Carolina
(Last week: 4th): Howell is doing some decent things this year, but the outsized hype hasn't matched his play this season. Some of that can be blamed on a bad offensive line and so-so defense, a wholly new batch of skill-position talent and some dropped passes. But some of it lies on Howell's shoulders, too. His accuracy has waned this season, as has his deep-ball effectiveness in recent games. He's not playing poorly, mind you, but in a typical QB cycle he might be no higher than fourth or fifth in the pecking order. Where Howell ultimately ends up will be fascinating. We still assume he'll declare this year and end up a first-round pick (perhaps lower than expected), but we can't say that with absolute certainty.) (10-11-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-oklahomas-spencer-rattler-sinks-in-qb-power-rankings-after-texas-benching-170321326.html
2022 NFL Draft Stock Report: Isaiah Likely and Jaquarii Roberson boost their stock (Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: If there’s one highly rated quarterback playing worse than Rattler, it would be Sam Howell. His interceptions and inability to protect the ball cost the Tar Heels during Saturday’s loss to Florida State. Howell has struggled to complete 50% of his passes on several occasions this season and has not shown the ability to carry North Carolina’s offense — something you want to see from a quarterback who projects as a top pick.) (10-11-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-nfl-draft-stock-report-isaiah-likely-and-jaquarii-roberson-boost-their-stock-cfbwk-6/
No quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft class is the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick (Sam Howell, North Carolina (Junior)
What to like: Arm Talent. Howell has an absolute cannon of an arm. He has the type of arm where once he gets around midfield, all the way through the back of the end zone is fair game. The ball comes out of his hand like it has a jet pack on even when he's on the move. Add to that the fact that he’s had a 75.0 adjusted completion percentage for his career despite a deep 11.4-yard average depth of target, and you can see why he’s a top prospect. Why we’re worried: Simplistic Offense. Since the start of 2020, no quarterback in college football has had more RPO completions (108; next closest is 90) or RPO yards (1,338; next closest is 1,118). In addition, no quarterback has more go-ball completions (20) or yards (798). Those aren’t inherently bad things. They are, however, more of an indication of arm talent than one’s ability to operate an offense. Those are one-read plays, and Howell does them more often than anyone in the country. That’s not necessarily developing NFL-transferable skills. Verdict: Possible to Return. The unfortunate thing for Howell is that it’s difficult to see things improving too much this season. He does not have the talent at receiver that can win consistently in an offense that demands it. Already with only a 75.3 passing grade after 91.5 last year, Howell may decide to return to North Carolina to ball out in his senior season.) (10-8-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2022-nfl-draft-class-spencer-rattler-malik-willis-sam-howell-matt-corral
NFL Hot Press: Disappointing 2022 Quarterback Class (North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell has received a lot of high first-round projections from some in the media, but in speaking to team sources, they were not grading Howell in that range. "Howell is way overrated," said a national scout. "The Cincinnati kid (Desmond Ridder) is better. There are no high-level quarterbacks this year, and the media is dying to crown somebody. Hearing them talk about these guys is pretty funny." Here is what one director of college scouting said about Howell, "The need at the position always gets guys over-drafted, but a team wouldn't be wrong grading him on Day 2 as an overall prospect. He's not a 'wow' talent, but has skills. He's a less mobile, less twitchy Baker Mayfield." A different director of college scouting echoed similar thoughts independently, "It's a thin quarterback class, so some quarterback prospects will get pushed higher by default. He is one of the better prospects in a thin class. First round is too rich for me though.") (10-8-21): https://walterfootball.com/nflhotpress/article/Some-Teams-Feel-2022-NFL-Draft-Lacks-A-Top-QB-Prospect
2022 NFL draft: Spencer Rattler, Malik Willis neck and neck in QB prospect power rankings (4. Sam Howell, North Carolina
(Last week: 2nd): Howell threw for 321 yards and three TD passes in a cakewalk win over Duke. He also misfired on 14 of his 32 pass attempts, and only two of those were credited as drops by PFF. Howell also was battered around (seven sacks) for the second straight week, taking five or more sacks for the third time in five games. He didn't make many special throws. He didn't make many cringeworthy ones either. It was a strange game for Howell in a strange season for Howell. There's a strong NFL prospect here, but one who must master handling and smelling pressure better, even if his offensive line is a sieve.) (10-4-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-spencer-rattler-malik-willis-neck-and-neck-in-qb-power-rankings-180136169.html
2022 NFL draft: Fresno State's Jake Haener inches up QB prospect power rankings (2. Sam Howell, North Carolina
(Last week: 4th): Howell threw for 302 yards, two TDs and no interceptions, and he ran for a 23-yard score against Georgia Tech. That's the good news. The bad: Howell was sacked eight times, lost two fumbles and struggled to get much going with star WR Josh Downs (53 receiving yards on 14 targets). It was shades of the opening loss to Virginia Tech, when UNC's lack of pass protection barely allowed Howell to set up in the pocket but a handful of times. And sadly, it's likely to continue unless the Tar Heels make drastic changes in the weeks to come. Howell needs to get rid of the ball faster. Overall, it's hard to say he has been terribly disappointing to this point. There's only so much Howell can do without more help around him.) (9-27-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-fresno-states-jake-haener-inches-up-qb-prospect-power-rankings-191237490.html
NCAA QB Stock Watch: Kenny Pickett stays hot, Spencer Rattler looks shaky it (Stock Shaky: Sam Howell, UNC - Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell were among the quarterbacks in contention for the coveted “QB1” spot coming into this college football season. While both struggled in the opening week of the year, both seemed to bounce-back in recent weeks. Then tonight happened. While Rattler was battling with West Virginia, Howell and the UNC Tar Heels were losing on the road to Georgia Tech. While the Tar Heels had issues beyond quarterback play Saturday night — unless you consider the play of Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims — Howell failed to deliver in a key conference game for UNC. Howell put the ball on the ground early in the second quarter, while the Tar Heels had a 7-3 lead. The Yellow Jackets converted that to a field goal. Then later in the first half Howell put the ball on the turf again, and on the ensuing possession Georgia Tech punched it into the end zone to take a 13-7 lead, and they would not look back. Howell was not done putting the football on the turf, however. With the Tar Heels trying to pull off the comeback, UNC had the football in Georgia Tech territory with a chance to make it a one-score game. But Howell was sacked and coughed up the ball, and the Yellow Jackets took over possession. Howell’s passing numbers ended up solid, as he finished the night having completed 25 of 39 passes for 306 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In a vacuum, that is a good night for a quarterback. But the fumbles, two of which led to ten points from Georgia Tech while the other erased the slim comeback chances, changed the complexion of the game. More than that, they will likely be leading scouts to look back at the film on Howell to see if there are ball security issues to be wary of.) (9-25-21):https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/kenny-pickett-jake-haener-malik-willis-devin-leary/
2022 NFL draft: Quarterback prospect power rankings, Week 4 (2. Sam Howell, North Carolina (Last week: 4th): Howell was lambasted for his opening-game struggles at Virginia Tech. But we're surprised how little praise has been dished out since then, as Howell now has back-to-back strong efforts together and looked more like the preseason top-10 QB we expected. The key for Howell will be to remain hot through this leaner section of the schedule prior to a big outing at Notre Dame on Halloween eve. He toyed with the Cavaliers' defense on Saturday, throwing TD passes of 59, 37 and 75 yards before the end of the first quarter, finishing with 307 pass yards and five TDs (on only 21 attempts) and 112 rush yards.) (9-20-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-quarterback-prospect-power-rankings-week-4-165713111.html
Sam Howell racks up 419 total yards, 5 TDs as UNC tops Virginia (9-18-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/18/north-carolina-virginia-sam-howell-college-football-nfl-draft/
College Football Week 3 Takeaways: Notable grades, advanced stats & more (NORTH CAROLINA QB SAM HOWELL HAS A NEW PLAYMAKER: Through two weeks of the 2021 college football season, the biggest concern with North Carolina was the lack of support Howell had on offense after the offseason departures of Dyami Brown, Dazz Newsome, Javonte Williams and Michael Carter. For the most part, this receiving room is inexperienced, raw and has struggled to stay healthy. But in the Tar Heels' high-scoring win over Virginia on Saturday, wide receiver Josh Downs emerged with a desperately needed breakout game. Josh Downs, a 2020 top-100 recruit, teamed up with Howell for five of the Tar Heels’ six explosive pass plays, making plays after the catch on schemed touches and downfield in the passing game. And one of those deep targets resulted in one of the best catches of the weekend. From a grading perspective, Downs’ night against the Cavaliers was the best single-game performance by a North Carolina wide receiver in the PFF College era. This could be the beginning of a new top QB-WR tandem in college football, which doesn’t bode well for the defenses on the rest of their schedule, including the likely showdown with Clemson in the ACC championship game.) (9-19-21): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-3-takeaways-notable-grades-advanced-stats-2021
College Football Players of the Week: Matt Corral and Calvin Austin best of Week 3 (QB Sam Howell, North Carolina: What happened to the Tar Heels against Virginia Tech? Since losing to the Hokies in Week 1, the Tar Heels have slaughtered their competition offensively. North Carolina’s signal-caller put up monster numbers to revive his Heisman campaign in the process, leading the Heels to a 59-39 win over Virginia. Sam Howell only needed 14 completions to throw for 307 yards and 5 touchdowns Saturday night, and he added 112 yards on the ground. He’s one of two Power Five quarterbacks to post back-to-back games of 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. The other to do that? Former Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson.) (9-19-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-players-of-the-week-matt-corral-calvin-austin-cfbwk-3/
2022 NFL draft: Quarterback prospect power rankings, Week 3 (4. Sam Howell, North Carolina: Howell entered the season with some tangible QB1 buzz. A brutal opening loss against Virginia Tech has derailed that talk for now. Even after a strong game both running and throwing from Howell and the Tar Heels last week, it came against Georgia State. This week, UNC gets an interesting Virginia squad that has outscored William & Mary and Illinois by a combined 85-14. Its intriguing lefty quarterback, Brennan Armstrong, could force Howell and Co. into shootout mode. Howell can rebuild his draft stock with a big game in this one.) (9-13-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-qb-prospect-power-rankings-week-3-211244499.html
Sam Howell bounces back after rough Week 1 outing, lights up Georgia State (9-12-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/12/nfl-draft-2022-sam-howell-north-carolina-georgia-state/
College Football Recap Week 2: Oregon and Iowa stake early claim for playoff place (Not to be outdone, Sam Howell threw for 3 touchdowns while rushing for another 2 scores as North Carolina beat Georgia State 59-17. Howell completed 72% of his attempts, tallying 456 total yards.) (9-12-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-recap-week-2-oregon-iowa-cfbwk2/
Stock Watch: Kenny Pickett shines, Sam Howell and Spencer Rattler bounceback (Bounceback Performers: Sam Howell, UNC and Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma -Underwhelming performances from both Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell — largely considered to be two of the better prospects in the upcoming class — were a major story after the first week of the college football season. Both passers were in action this weekend, and both players performed more in-line with expectations. Down in Chapel Hill, Sam Howell threw for 352 yards and three touchdowns as the Tar Heels handled things against Georgia State. In addition to a much more efficient passing performance that saw Howell complete 21 of his 29 attempts, he was also Carolina’s leading rusher on the night, carrying the ball 11 times for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including this 62-yard scamper. As for Rattler, he put up solid numbers of his own as the Sooners throttled visiting Western Carolina. Rattler completed 20 of 26 passes for 243 yards and five touchdowns. ON one of those touchdown throws, he showcased some precision placement on a back-shoulder throw. Now yes, both players bounced back against lower-tier competition. But it is important to see games like this, as you want to see elite talents dominate in these situations. It would have been a huge story, believe me, if either of these quarterbacks struggled this weekend. Instead, their fans can take a deep breath and practice a little of that patience we recommended last week.) (9-12-21): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/kenny-pickett-sam-howell-spencer-rattler-texas-longhorns/
Top 15 Quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft: Carson Strong’s strong start (2. Sam Howell, North Carolina: If Strong had the — wait for it — strongest debut of the season, Sam Howell had the lowest debut of all the quarterbacks here. He threw 3 interceptions and completed just slightly above 50% of his passes against Virginia Tech. Worse than that, Howell looked incredibly confused and confounded against the Hokies’ secondary. Howell has a lot of physical tools and nearly every throw in his arsenal. So his place at or near the top of the list is relatively safe. Still, his lack of pocket presence and inability to find receivers in space was concerning. It’s important not to overreact to Week 1 performances. It’s equally as important to isolate what Howell did wrong in Week 1. And that’s what should scare Howell truthers.) (9-8-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-15-quarterbacks-in-the-2022-nfl-draft-carson-strongs-strong-start/
NFL Draft 2022 prospect watch: Matt Corral, Ohio State WRs rise; Sam Howell falls after Week 1 (NFL Draft fallers - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: Howell had a rough game against Virginia Tech's defense last Thursday night. There's no window-dressing that. There also should be less excuse-making for Howell in terms of what all the Tar Heels lost in offensive skill around him, from protection to weapons. Perhaps the pro and Heisman pressure got to him early, but the numbers (17-of-32, 208 yards, TD, 3 INTs) and eye test didn't lie as he has much on which to work in his final season at Chapel Hill. He was sacked six times on top of double as many interceptions. He was indecisive and let the Hokies' heat get to him and the decision-making was poor overall. Howell was SN's No. 3 QB prospect going into the season, but he's starting to have that Sam Darnold-Mitchell Trubisky feel. It was poor-timed with both Corral and Nevada's Carson Strong looking so good to boost their stocks behind him.) (9-8-21): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-draft-2022-sam-howell-matt-corral-ohio-state/pkbi307t86zo12ac63j2cgylw
$.05 From Labor Day Weekend ($.02--Sam Howell entered the weekend as one of the leading candidates to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. But North Carolina’s gunslinger did not look all that impressive in the Tar Heels’ loss to the Hokies. Howell threw three INTs including a bad misread where he never accounted for a backer dropping in coverage. He didn’t handle pressure as well as hoped, nor was his accuracy as on-point as desired from an NFL evaluation perspective. Don’t throw Howell and his draft stock in the trash bin just yet, however… It’s one week. One game does not make a full scouting portfolio. It’s the first week of a new season and Howell was working with a largely new receiving corps, too. Oh by the way, the Hokies have themselves a solid secondary like they seemingly do every year. That doesn’t mean ignore the suboptimal outing from Howell. It’s a valuable piece of his puzzle, albeit one that isn’t favorable for the third-year starter. There is plenty of time and games to mix in some bigger and better pieces for Howell. The context does need to change a bit, though. Now that he’s had a “bad” game, can Howell put it behind him and bounce back? Was his rough 2021 debut a fluke or a sign of lesser things to come? Don’t overreact and axe him from top-5 draft consideration just yet. It’s true of several prospects who didn’t have as impressive of a ‘21 debut as expected, or hoped, or demanded. Players do have bad games and there are so many different reasons why. Overreaction is an unfortunate byproduct of the “hot take” turn mainstream sports media has taken. Fight the frothing-at-the-mouth yellers and treat one game with the nuance and broader perspective it deserves.) (9-6-21): https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3366/$05-From-Labor-Day-Weekend
College Football Takeaways: Alabama still the team to beat after dominating in Week 1 (Sam Howell hampered, Tulane takes the bite out of Spencer Rattler: Sam Howell had his struggles as North Carolina was shocked by Virginia Tech on Friday night. Howell buckled behind an offensive line that bore a disturbing resemblance to Swiss cheese. Despite the emergence of WR Josh Downs, the impact of a depleted supporting cast was painfully evident. Normally as clutch as you can get at the college level in the fourth quarter, the junior quarterback threw 2 interceptions as the Hokies won 17-10.) (9-5-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-takeaways-alabama-still-the-team-to-beat-after-dominating-in-week-1/
Stock Watch: Mixed quarterback performances mark Week 1 of the college football season (Stock Down: Sam Howell, UNC - Sam Howell of UNC entered the college football season as one of the names often discussed for that coveted QB1 slot. But those hopes took a bit of a hit on Thursday night, as the junior passer threw a trio of interceptions in a loss to Virginia Tech at Blacksburg. Most concerning when watching — and re-watching — Howell’s game was the decision-making. The junior passer made some head-scratchers, including this interception in the second half. Now, the decision to throw to this route is not that bad, as you can see a window for his receiver breaking open after Howell’s pump-fake. But the decision by the QB to drop the arm slot puzzles me to this day. Howell had a clear throwing lane, and rather than exploit that with a confident, over-the-top delivery he drops the arm angle, inviting pressure in the pocket. The result? A tipped pass and an interception. As we will discuss in a moment, this was just one game. Still, Howell’s performance opened the door to renewed discussion about his draft stock, and what he needs to do going forward to improve.) (9-5-21): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/spencer-rattler-sam-howell-carson-strong/
College Football Week 1 Takeaways: PFF grades, advanced stats & more (SAM HOWELL STRUGGLED WITHOUT HIS PLAYMAKERS: Howell was gifted with an array of elite weapons as an underclassman, but this year will be decidedly different — his top two wide receivers and the best running back duo of the PFF College era have taken their talents to the NFL. Along with that, Howell's top pass-catcher, Beau Corrales, is out to start the season, and No. 2 option Khafre Brown wasn’t 100%.. Howell needed to prop up the players around him against Virginia Tech on Friday night. Instead, they all fell flat. His arsenal of weapons was less than inspiring, and Howell crumbled under duress. He let three turnover-worthy plays slip under pressure, resulting in the second-worst grade on pressured dropbacks in Week 1. Howell produced a career-low passing grade and led the Tar Heels to -0.28 EPA per pass, by far the worst mark of his tenure in Chapel Hill.) (9-5-21): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-1-takeaways-grades-advanced-stats-2021
North Carolina QB Sam Howell loses processing speed, NFL traction in worrisome 2021 opener (9-4-21): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/04/sam-howell-virginia-tech-2022-nfl-draft/
Is UNC QB Sam Howell the best quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft? (9-2-21): https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/2021/09/sam-howell-scouting-report-2/
College Football Takeaways: Alabama still the team to beat after dominating in Week 1 (Sam Howell hampered, Tulane takes the bite out of Spencer Rattler: Sam Howell had his struggles as North Carolina was shocked by Virginia Tech on Friday night. Howell buckled behind an offensive line that bore a disturbing resemblance to Swiss cheese. Despite the emergence of WR Josh Downs, the impact of a depleted supporting cast was painfully evident. Normally as clutch as you can get at the college level in the fourth quarter, the junior quarterback threw 2 interceptions as the Hokies won 17-10.) (9-5-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/college-football-takeaways-alabama-still-the-team-to-beat-after-dominating-in-week-1/
Spectacular INT seals Virginia Tech thriller over No. 9 North Carolina (9-3-21): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/03/spectacular-int-seals-virginia-tech-hokies-thriller-over-no-9-north-carolina-tar-heels/
UNC QB Sam Howell struggles in upset loss vs. Virginia Tech (9-3-21): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2021/09/03/sam-howell-north-carolina-virginia-tech-recap-nfl-draft-college-football/
Film Don't Lie: Sam Howell is a Good Quarterback but a Limited One (8-31-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft/film-dont-lie-georgia-has-4-dogs-leading-the-nations-top-defense
Top 10 2022 NFL Draft prospects in the ACC (2. QB SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA (JUNIOR): Howell started his career with one of the highest-graded true freshman seasons we’ve ever seen. He racked up a ridiculous 30 big-time throws en route to an 83.3 passing grade that season. For an encore, Howell cut his turnover-worthy plays nearly in half and saw his passing grade leap up to 91.5 last season. Some of that grade is bolstered by the simplistic North Carolina offense. He threw more RPOs than anyone else in the country in 2020. He also threw more pure go-balls (39) and had more yards on them (684) than any other Power Five quarterback in the country. This year will be the ultimate test for him, as he loses his top two receivers and running backs from last season.) (8-18-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-top-10-2022-nfl-draft-prospects-acc
10 NFL draft prospects you need to know: North Carolina QB Sam Howell (8-17-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/10-nfl-draft-prospects-you-need-to-know-north-carolina-qb-sam-howell-131006887.html
10 NFL draft prospects you need to know: North Carolina QB Sam Howell (8-17-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/10-nfl-draft-prospects-you-need-to-know-north-carolina-qb-sam-howell-131006887.html
2022 NFL Draft QB Rankings: Sam Howell (8-11-21): https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/edge/article/rankings/2022-nfl-draft-qb-rankings-sam-howell
ACC 2022 NFL Draft prospects and scouting reports (Sam Howell, QB | Grade: 4.03 | Projected Round: 1st - Sam Howell gets a lot of love inside and outside of the scouting community, and it’s well-deserved. The strong-armed passer has been excellent the past two years, showing progress in his game all the way through. Howell can make all the throws, accurately delivers the ball, and shows the ability to place passes nicely. Furthermore, Howell uses all his targets. He has great command of the offense, and though he’s not super elusive, he’s fleet-footed enough to escape the rush and pick up yardage with his legs. My main concern about Howell’s game is that he holds the ball too long on occasion, and the results are not good when he does. Despite this, he’ll enter the 2022 NFL Draft with a nice body of work if all goes well this season. He possesses the physical skills and mental acumen to lead a franchise in the NFL.) (8-12-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/acc-draft-prospects-and-scouting-reports-for-2022-nfl-draft/2/
2022 NFL Draft: UNC's Howell, Clemson highlight ACC preview (Quarterback Sam Howell will be in contention to become the first quarterback taken in the 2022 NFL Draft. Howell may not possess the elite physical stature of Trevor Lawrence or the arm talent of Patrick Mahomes, but his endearing trait is his leadership. The North Carolina native gives off Baker Mayfield vibes in the way that he plays the game and carries himself.) (8-10-31): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-draft-acc-preview-north-carolinas-sam-howell-top-prospect-clemson-reloads-on-offense/
NFL Hot Press: Slovis, Howell Preseason Projection (7-30-21): https://walterfootball.com/nflhotpress/article/Some-Scouts-Unimpressed-With-Howell,-Slovis
PFF 2021 College Preseason Maxwell Award Watch List: Best player in college football (2. SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA: Sam Howell is coming off a true sophomore campaign in which he was the sixth-highest-graded quarterback in college football (92.3). Over the past two seasons, he ranks first in the Power Five in 20-plus-yard completions (66), passing yards (2,654), touchdowns (32) and big-time throws (59 — 15 more than the next QB). The big question mark with Howell this fall is how he fares without the slew of weapons he previously had in his time leading the offense. His top two targets, wide receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, as well as one of the best running back duos of the PFF College era, Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, have all departed for the NFL ranks. Now, Howell will be tasked with propping up the younger talent within the receiving unit. The Tar Heels ranked seventh in the Power Five in expected points added (EPA) per pass last season, but Howell will have to do a lot of heavy lifting to sustain that mark this fall. If he can lead an even better offense with a much lesser supporting cast in 2021, that might just be enough to take home an award or two by the year's end.) (7-20-21): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-preseason-award-watch-list-maxwell-award-2021
PFF 2021 College Preseason Davey O’Brien Award Watch List: Best QB in college football (2. SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA: Sam Howell is coming off a true sophomore campaign in which he was the sixth-highest-graded quarterback in college football (92.3). Over the past two seasons, he ranks first in the Power Five in 20-plus-yard completions (66), passing yards (2,654), touchdowns (32) and big-time throws (59 — 15 more than the next QB). The big question mark with Howell this fall is how he fares without the slew of weapons he previously had in his time leading the offense. His top two targets, wide receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, as well as one of the best running back duos of the PFF College era, Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, have all departed for the NFL ranks. Now, Howell will be tasked with propping up the younger talent within the receiving unit. The Tar Heels ranked seventh in the Power Five in expected points added (EPA) per pass last season, but Howell will have to do a lot of heavy lifting to sustain that mark this fall. If he can lead an even better offense with a much lesser supporting cast in 2021, that might just be enough to take home the Davey O’Brien Award.) (7-20-21): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-preseason-award-watch-list-davey-obrien-award-2021
PFF 2021 College Preseason Heisman Trophy Watch List: Best player in college football (2. QB SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA: Sam Howell is coming off a true sophomore campaign in which he was the sixth-highest-graded quarterback in college football (92.3). Over the past two seasons, he ranks first in the Power Five in 20-plus-yard completions (66), passing yards (2,654), touchdowns (32) and big-time throws (59 — 15 more than the next QB). The big question mark with Howell this fall is how he fares without the slew of weapons he previously had in his time leading the offense. His top two targets, wide receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, as well as one of the best running back duos of the PFF College era, Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, have all departed for the NFL ranks. Now, Howell will be tasked with propping up the younger talent within the receiving unit. The Tar Heels ranked seventh in the Power Five in expected points added (EPA) per pass last season, but Howell will have to do a lot of heavy lifting to sustain that mark this fall. If he can lead an even better offense with a much lesser supporting cast in 2021, that might just be enough to take home the Heisman.) (7-19-21): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-preseason-award-watch-list-heisman-trophy-2021
ACC Preseason All-Conference team ahead of 2021 college football season (First Team - Quarterback: Sam Howell, North Carolina. After earning third-team All-ACC conference honors as a freshman, and second-team recognition last fall, Sam Howell finally ascends to the conference’s top. No quarterback in conference history has been as prolific as the North Carolina passer. Howell has thrown 68 touchdown passes through his sophomore season, more than departed Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. Furthermore, the former four-star recruit led the conference in passing yards last fall. Rugged, mobile, and able to make all the throws, Howell is the conference’s top signal-caller heading into the fall. Although Clemson’s D.J. Uiagalelei flashed star quality in his two starts last year, he’s too unproven at this point to force his way into our preseason ACC All-Conference team.) (7-16-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/acc-preseason-all-conference-team-2021/
Summer Scouting: UNC QB Sam Howell (7-15-21):https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2021/07/15/2022-nfl-draft-unc-qb-sam-howell/
Draft watch: Sam Howell, Spencer Rattler the top QBs to know entering 2021 (Sam Howell, North Carolina: Howell is someone who has very impressive tools in the box. He’s got above-average arm strength, good mobility, a keen sense of anticipation and preternatural poise in the pocket. He’s shorter than ideal at a listed 6-foot-1, though he’s proven he can take a hit and plays tough. Howell needs to learn to get through his progressions quicker and make better decisions when not under pressure.) (7-9-21): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/07/09/2022-nfl-draft-sam-howell-spencer-rattler-malik-willis-desmond-ridder-top-qbs/
2022 NFL draft: The case for and against QB1 candidates (Sam Howell | North Carolina: A three-year starter by the time the 2021 season comes to an end, Howell has already had an impressive collegiate resume. He was a starter as a freshman and has played a big role in the turnaround of North Carolina’s football program. His completion percentage and overall yardage per game increased from 2019 to 2020, and his linear progression has shown up on tape. Howell is an accurate passer with sound mechanics, a compact throwing motion and good follow-through in his lower half. The middle of the field is a place of comfortability for him, as he does a good job of leading his targets open and hitting them in stride. Howell is a tough quarterback who is able to take a licking in the pocket and still maintain accuracy and composure under pressure. He has a solid arm and can hit his receivers in tight windows, and his experience running RPOs effectively should be helpful for him at the next level. Though maybe not the flashiest quarterback in the class, Howell seems like a safe bet to go Round 1 at this stage and looks the part of a future starter. Though he’s polished, Howell doesn’t have the physical upside that some of the other top quarterbacks in the 2022 class have. Howell’s arm is far from bad – it’s actually pretty good in the grand scheme of things – but he doesn’t have that ability to consistently create plays out of structure and make throws off-platform. He doesn’t seem to offer much athletic upside, which limits his dual-threat ability and his escapability in and out of the pocket. When looking at the top quarterbacks taken in recent drafts, very few of them don’t stand out physically. He’s pretty accurate in the grand scheme of things, but Howell can be inconsistent stretching the field sometimes. Some of his deep passes can hit targets over the wrong shoulder, and he won’t offer limitless range as a passer in the pros.) (7-9-21):https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/2022-nfl-draft-qb1-candidates-spencer-rattler-sam-howell-malik-willis-carson-strong/
The PFF Preseason College Football All-ACC Team: North Carolina QB Sam Howell starts at QB, Clemson's Justyn Ross earns WR spot
COLLEGE (First-Team: Sam Howell, North Carolina - UNC’s offense cooks when Howell is given the green light to launch it deep because he arguably has the best deep ball in college football. Over the last two seasons, Howell ranks first in the Power Five in 20-plus-yard completions (66), passing yards (2,654), touchdowns (32) and big-time throws (59, 15 more than the next QB). Pressure was Howell's Achilles' heel as a true freshman in 2019, as he recorded a 38.2 passing grade when the opposing pass rush got home. In 2020, he improved that mark to 74.7 while maintaining a top-10 clean-pocket passing grade. The North Carolina product finished the 2020 season as the sixth-highest-graded quarterback at 92.3. How he fares without that slew of weapons he had at his disposal as an underclassman is something to keep an eye on this fall.) (6-30-21): https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-pff-preseason-all-acc-team
2022 QB Class: Is Sam Howell, Spencer Rattler, or Kedon Slovis the top quarterback prospect (6-17-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-qb-class-is-sam-howell-spencer-rattler-or-kedon-slovis-the-top-quarterback-prospect/
Scouting Sam Howell: North Carolina QB similar to Baker Mayfield (6-15-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/scouting-sam-howell-north-carolina-qb-similar-to-baker-mayfield
Early 2022 NFL Draft quarterback rankings and class overview (2. SAM HOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA (JUNIOR): Howell burst onto the scene last year with the second-highest season grade from a true freshman in the PFF College era. His 82.0 overall grade that year trailed only No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence’s 90.7 mark. Howell has field-expanding arm strength that the North Carolina offense consistently takes advantage of. He racked up 637 yards on pure go-balls last season — 213 more than any other quarterback in the Power Five. That stat isn’t necessarily a positive, though. A big portion of the knocks on Howell will center on the offense he plays in. While dropping the ball into a bucket is a good skill to have at the NFL level, it’s not what makes or breaks a quarterback prospect. Howell played in a “college-y” offense that called more RPOs than any other offense in college football. He completed 83 passes for 993 yards on RPOs last year — both figures that led college football. We simply need to see more high-level performances against top-flight defenses this year, unlike the Notre Dame and Texas A&M games last season.) (6-16-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-college-football-2022-quarterback-rankings-class-overview
Scouting Sam Howell: North Carolina QB similar to Baker Mayfield (6-15-21): https://www.nfl.com/news/scouting-sam-howell-north-carolina-qb-similar-to-baker-mayfield
2022 NFL draft: 12 QB-prospect matchups we can't wait for this season (3. Sam Howell vs. Kenny Pickett (UNC at Pitt, Nov. 11): Howell is second only to Rattler for early odds on next year’s top overall NFL draft pick at +350, per BetMGM. How Howell responds to losing his top two running backs and top two receivers will tell us a lot about how highly he’s regarded by season’s end. Although Howell has a fairly strong arm and has been money in crunch time the past two seasons, he’s not all that physically impressive, has been operating in a friendly Air Raid system and must rely on new playmakers. Facing off with him in this matchup is the plucky Pickett, who seemed to improve his arm strength and his consistency last season. We assumed he’d come out this past draft cycle, but a midseason ankle injury derailed Pickett. Can he stay healthy and deliver one complete season? Pickett will turn 24 next June, so he’s on the older side.) (6-11-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-draft-there-are-some-terrific-qb-prospect-matchups-this-season-160032914.html
2022 NFL Draft Big Board: Early top 50 prospect rankings (15. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: Ever since he put up 3,641 yards, 38 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions as a true freshman, Sam Howell has been compared to Baker Mayfield. It’s lazy deference at this point, but the comparison does nonetheless have some merit. Like Mayfield, Howell is stout, strong, and a steely competitor. He isn’t quite as accurate as Mayfield was, and he’s somewhat volatile, but he has the arm talent to ascend.) (5-8-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-nfl-draft-big-board-top-50-prospects/
The 25 most intriguing 2022 NFL draft prospects, including 10 QBs (Sam Howell, North Carolina: We’re not quite as enamored — yet — with the ultra-talented Howell, who put up big numbers (7,227 pass yards, 68 TDs, 14 INTs, 64.4% completions) in his first two college seasons. The reasons for hesitation: he has a bit of a funky throwing motion, is prone to some bone-headed mistakes, and will lose his top two receivers and backs next season. Even so, he made a big jump in 2020 and has a boatload of talent, including some tough, instinctive running ability. He also has natural accuracy and could push Rattler for QB1 honors.) (5-6-21): https://sports.yahoo.com/the-25-most-intriguing-2022-nfl-draft-prospects-including-10-q-bs-163838005.html
2022 NFL Draft prospects to watch at each position (Howell is the Baker Mayfield-type of this class. He does not possess the premium athletic traits that have become so popular in the modern NFL, but he is a talented quarterback with arm strength and touch.) (5-6-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2022-nfl-draft-sam-howell-spencer-rattler-among-five-prospects-to-watch-at-each-position/
Top quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft include Sam Howell, Malik Willis (1. Sam Howell, North Carolina: Flashy as a freshman, Sam Howell shined in his sophomore season at North Carolina. He led the ACC in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passing yards per attempt last year, to cement himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft class. His 9.4 career yards per attempt are the highest in the conference since records began in 1956. That’s better than the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson, and Jameis Winston, who have all come out of the ACC in recent draft classes. The former four-star recruit is no stranger to setting records. His 17,036 total yards for Sun Valley is a high school state record in North Carolina. Although he was designated as a pro-style quarterback by recruiting sites, his ability to impact the game on the run has been apparent since his high school days. He combines mobility with arm strength to be an intriguing dual threat. Additionally, Howell boasted one of the most accurate arms in college football last season, completing 68.1 percent of his passes. There are some inconsistencies to be ironed out, and he loses most of his supporting cast for this season, but there’s no reason to believe that Howell can’t challenge to be QB1 in this upcoming class.) (5-4-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-nfl-draft-top-quarterbacks-sam-howell-malik-willis/
Top 10 Prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft
Ryan Phillips (3. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: This ranking might look high in a few months, but I'm projecting Howell will have a big year. At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, he doesn't have prototypical size at quarterback but he's been remarkably productive. He's thrown for 7,227 yards, with 68 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his first two seasons. He's currently the top quarterback in this class, makes plays down the field and is supremely confident.) (5-3-21): https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/2022-nfl-draft-top-players-01f4qeeaymy2
Top 15 NFL draft rankings for 2022: Big-name talent awaits (4. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina: It doesn't take long to develop an admiration for Howell's game, as he comfortably launches deep throws whether standing in the pocket or on the move. Size questions will dog the 6-1, 225-pound signal-caller throughout the pre-draft process, but he otherwise has the makeup of a big-time playmaker.) (5-3-21): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/05/02/nfl-draft-2022-rankings-spencer-rattler-sam-howell-early-list/4913481001/
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