ACC football 2019 season preview: Clemson and everything after

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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SAN ANTONIO, TX – JANUARY 05: Quarterback Sam Howell (17) runs the ball during the All-American Bowl on January 05, 2019 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Freshman of the Year: Sam Howell, North Carolina

With Mack Brown taking over for the North Carolina Tar Heels, the hope is that the legendary coach will help the program quickly climb out of the recent quagmire they’ve found themselves in. What may determine the future of the Tar Heels, though, is how things shake out at quarterback. Things currently remain undecided about who the starter will be, but true freshman Sam Howell appears to be their most high-upside option.

Howell landed with North Carolina in the early signing period of recruiting as Brown made a late push to flip the quarterback from his previous commitment to Florida State. Landing Howell was a monstrous get for UNC and Brown as the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class according to 247 Sports’ Composite rankings.

There’s no denying the raw talent that Howell has, even at sub-standard size by NFL measures at 6-foot-1. Still, the freshman has a howitzer connected at his shoulder and a great feel for the game around him. He might be a risk-taker but he’s also a playmaker, something that the Tar Heels offense has lacked on a consistent basis since Mitch Trubisky’s departure.

Howell’s candidacy for ACC football Freshman of the Year isn’t based on the projected success of the Tar Heels. In fact, wins may be hard to come by again for North Carolina in 2019. However, Howell — should he win the starting job, which is what should happen — will be the lifeblood of the offense and put up big numbers to give him a chance at the award.

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