GoHeels Exclusive: Quarterbacks Notebook

By Pat James, GoHeels.com

After a spring in which they were told to focus solely on learning Phil Longo's Air Raid offense, Cade Fortin, Sam Howell and Jace Ruder started officially competing for North Carolina's starting quarterback job when training camp began.

Two weeks later, a frontrunner has yet to emerge – and might not until closer to the season opener against South Carolina on Aug. 31.

"We're all even right now," said Ruder after UNC's 11th training camp practice on Tuesday. "We all have different games. We all bring different things to the table. It's just going to come down to the last minute, grinding it out and seeing who can be the most productive on the field."

Until then, here's their perspectives on how the competition has gone.

Fortin relying on faith

Fortin has previously been involved in two other quarterback competitions, the first during his standout career at North Gwinnett (Ga.) High School and the second with Ruder for the backup job entering last season. But despite that experience, Fortin admitted he was anxious heading into camp.

So, upon arriving in Chapel Hill on Aug. 1, he immersed himself in his Bible.

"I really got into my faith and I really just kind of relied on God and said, 'I have all these worries and I'm going to put it on you,'" Fortin said. "That just kind of took all that away. I just kind of focused on taking it day-by-day and not worrying about tomorrow and not worrying about what's going to happen later in the season. Just trusting that God has a plan."

By doing so, Fortin said he felt relaxed when he took the field for the first practice of camp. And he's been comfortable ever since.

The No. 29 pro-style quarterback in the Class of 2018 according to 247Sports, Fortin boasts slightly more experience than Howell and Ruder, having played in the minimum four games last season to preserve his redshirt and started two. He completed 32 of 65 passes for 388 yards with one touchdown and one interception. If not for injury, he might've played more.

In making his move up the depth chart last season, Fortin learned multiple lessons that have proven to be beneficial.

"Just being ready at any time, just always being prepared and just taking it one step at a time, one day at a time, because not everything is going to happen over the course of one practice or one day," he said. "Just trying to be consistent and be the best I can be every single day."

On Monday, Phil Longo suggested Fortin might be UNC's best pure passer. When asked how his skills translate to Longo's "Air Raid" offense – which Fortin said employs some of the same concepts as the previous system, but is simpler to run – the 6-foot-3, 220-pound quarterback immediately referenced his arm.

"I can throw it around, so I can get it to the playmakers," Fortin said. "I can get a first down if I need to, make a play with my legs. But (I'm) definitely probably a throw-first kind of guy who can get it out to my playmakers like Dazz (Newsome); he's a little faster than me."

Newsome is among the offensive players who have said leadership is the most important quality they're looking for in a starting quarterback. But Mack Brown has acknowledged it's difficult for any of the quarterbacks to assume a leadership role until a starter is determined.

Still, that hasn't prevented Fortin from trying.

"I've really focused on taking guys away and kind of getting to know them more off the field," he said. "Really giving attention to guys who maybe lack the knowledge of the offense and really taking them in and being like, 'Hey, let's work on this. Let's watch film.' That's something Coach has kind of harped on for us and something we've taken advantage of."

Although he's trying to focus on just his own performance, Fortin said he knows he's competing with Howell and Ruder every day. Once the cause of anxiety, though, he now sees that as a positive.

"I think it brings out the best in everyone," Fortin said. "Whether or not somebody becomes the starter, you're getting the best out of yourself when you're competing at the highest level that you can. And you can't take anything for granted."

Ruder staying loose

A season ago, Ruder learned how trying it can be to grind through the dog days of camp, when players wear down and the daily routine becomes monotonous. So, shortly before his second camp began, he started growing a horseshoe mustache in an attempt to keep his teammates' spirits high.

"It's electric," he said. "I figured going into camp we can't have guys down. We need some electricity through this building. So, I figured a Fu Manchu might help a little bit."

But despite his best effort to alleviate some stress, Ruder said he experienced the same sort of uneasiness as Fortin as the battle for the starting job commenced.

"I think it's natural to have a bit of anxiety, a little bit of nervousness, just because there's a lot on the line given the fact that three of us are going for the job," Ruder said. "But it's been a blast. There's not a day in here where I'm dead or the team's dead.

"We all come in here and it's like a game every day. That's the big difference in what makes training camp miserable and what's getting us through it is the energy."

Ruder's made a concerted effort to maintain a high level of energy each day, making his personal motto "no plays off." That was evident during last Saturday's scrimmage, when a lower body injury that he's since returned from prevented him from taking any live snaps, but he still performed mental reps behind Fortin and Howell on every play.

The No. 15 dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2018 according to 247Sports, Ruder earned all-state honors in football, basketball and track and field at Norton Community (Kan.) High School. He then showed flashes of his athleticism before sustaining a season-ending injury against Georgia Tech last November. On Monday, Longo said Ruder might be the best athlete involved in the quarterback competition. His unique skill set could be an interesting fit in Longo's offense.

"I think it gives us a lot of options," said Ruder, 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds. "I love throwing the ball. I love running. I love the personnel we have up front, the personnel we have outside and the personnel we have in the backfield. It's really well-rounded to touch on the skillsets of everybody in the offense."

For it to run at its best, though, Ruder knows the quarterback must be a leader. He said he's taken steps toward becoming one by keeping a positive attitude and creating relationships.

"At the quarterback position, you've got to be a leader," Ruder said. "I think day-in and day-out, each morning we wake up we've got to remember that. We've got to lead this team, we've got to set the example and we just have to go out there and do our thing."

With the fall semester not set to begin until next Tuesday, the quarterbacks haven't had to balance academics and football the last two weeks. That's given them ample time to hone their craft, not only in practices and position meetings, but in individual sessions with Longo.

The biggest lesson Ruder said he's learned from those talks: don't be so uptight.

"This is a game," Ruder said. "We go out and we play ball and we've got to love what we do and we've got to do it instinctively, because if you do it instinctively, you're going to play fast. And that's the whole point of the offense."

Howell showing poise

The No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2019 according to 247Sports, Howell could've continued his football career at about any other school in the country, perhaps even one where the battle for the starting job wouldn't be nearly as competitive.

But the freshman understood what awaited him before joining the Tar Heels.

"I knew wherever I went I was going to have to compete," he said. "To play anywhere in college football at this level, you're going to have to compete with other kids. I'm right where I want to be."

Howell, from Monroe, N.C., became the headliner of Brown's first recruiting class back in Chapel Hill when he announced his decision to change his commitment from another ACC school to Carolina last December. He then enrolled in January, a decision that's paid dividends.

Early on, Howell said he struggled adjusting to the speed of the college game. Going against UNC's defense didn't make that any easier. But thanks partly to the assistance of Fortin and Ruder, he said he feels more comfortable now.

"They've definitely helped me a lot since I got here," said Howell of Fortin and Ruder. "They both were part of the team last year and they both got some game action last year. So, there's definitely stuff I can learn from them and there definitely is stuff I have learned from them."

At Sun Valley High School, Howell set the North Carolina record for total yards with 17,036. His 13,415 career passing yards are the second most in state history.

On Monday, Longo said Howell possesses a strong arm and can make plays with his feet. The ability to do both could lead to some indecision by a young quarterback. But even though the quarterbacks are being judged for every throw, Howell, a self-described gunslinger, said he doesn't worry about making mistakes, as long as he learns from them.

That sort of approach could serve him well in Longo's offense.

"Obviously, I think I'm a really good player," said Howell, 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds. "I think I can do a lot of things. I think I can make all the throws that need to be made and I think I can extend plays with my feet when those plays are needed. I think I can lead the offense."

When he first arrived on campus, Howell said he hesitated to assert himself as a leader. But over time, he's started doing so more and more.

"I think the guys respect me enough to where I can say things and they'll respect what I say," he said. "But I think the big thing is you just have to earn the respect of the locker room, and I think I've done a good job of that. … You've just got to show up and work hard every day. I show up and give this team all I've got every single day. Guys see that and they respect that."

Not all freshmen come to such a realization before their first collegiate season even begins. Nor could they all handle the pressure that they'd surely feel as the least experienced player in a three-man competition.

And yet, Howell doesn't sense any.

"I wouldn't say it's stressful," he said. "This is what I love to do. I can't complain. I'm on a Power 5, Division I football team and I'm competing for the starting quarterback job. It doesn't get much better than this."

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