Commanders Select Howell In NFL Draft Fifth Round

LAS VEGAS - University of North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell was selected 144th overall in the fifth round by the Washington Commanders in the 2022 NFL Draft. Howell is the the ninth Carolina quarterback selected and the 246th Tar Heel chosen in the NFL Draft.

"This is a dream come true," said Howell. "I can't put into words how grateful I am for this new opportunity God has given me. I want to thank everyone who had a hand in helping me get here; my family, my high school coaches, my QB coach, my teammates and the coaches and staff at UNC. I've been working for this day most of my life, but now the work really begins. I can't thank the Commanders enough for putting their faith in me to lead their franchise and I promise I will do everything in my power to be successful. I can't wait to get to Washington D.C. and get working."

"Sam Howell has been the face of our program for the last three years," said North Carolina head coach Mack Brown. "He's accurate. He's tough. He's durable. His teammates like him because of the way he interacts with them, and they respect him because of the way he works. He was probably in the office more than I was during his time here, watching film, digging into his playbook. He's a football junkie and that translated to the way he played on Saturdays. With all that, he graduated in three years, while spending so much time on football. We love and appreciate him not just for his football accomplishments, but for who he is as a person and what he stands for. Our program is so much better off thanks to Sam Howell being a part of it. We wouldn't have won as many games as we did without him and I can't wait to see him do for the Washington Commanders what he's done for us."

Howell essentially re-wrote the Carolina football record book by setting at least 27 school records in just three seasons. He wrapped up his career with 92 passing touchdowns, the third highest figure in ACC history and the most ever by a player in three or fewer seasons. Howell sits among the leagues all-time greats with the fifth most touchdowns responsible for (111). He also ranks eighth in total offense (11,292), fifth in passing yards (10,283), second in passing yards per game (277.9) and second in passing efficiency (164.2).

The Indian Trail, North Carolina, native burst onto the national scene in 2019 when he set an FBS true freshman record and UNC record with 38 passing touchdowns. Howell led the Tar Heels to a Military Bowl victory over Temple, earn FWAA Freshman All-America honors and was named ACC Offensive and Overall Rookie of the Year.

Howell continued to wreak havoc on collegiate defenses as a sophomore in 2020. Statistically, he had a game for the ages against Wake Forest when he set numerous program standards with 550 passing yards, seven total touchdowns and six passing TDs against the Demon Deacons. Howell led the ACC with 30 passing TDs and 3,586 passing yards in guiding Carolina to its first ever appearance in the Orange Bowl.

The third and final season in Chapel Hill saw Howell display his dual-threat capabilities by becoming one of three Power 5 quarterbacks to throw for 20+ touchdowns and rush for 10+ touchdowns in 2021, and became just the third QB in the playoff era with five games with 300 passing yards and five games with 100 rushing yards in a season. He ranked ninth nationally with 323.7 yards of total offense per game and was third nationally among FCS quarterbacks with 828 rushing yards.

Howell is the ninth Carolina quarterback selected in the NFL Draft. He joins a list that includes Mitch Trubisky, T.J. Yates, Ronald Curry, Chris Kupec, Jeff Beaver, Danny Talbott and Jack Cummings.

Players Mentioned

Sam Howell

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