Who are the 2021 Heisman Trophy candidates?

2021 Heisman Trophy candidate No. 3: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

Some people — myself included — believed that Sam Howell could’ve been one of the leading Heisman Trophy candidates in the 2020 season after what he did in his freshman season with the North Carolina Tar Heels. After all, he threw for over 3,600 yards with 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first season.

There’s no question that Howell was productive this past year, it should be said. In 12 games — as opposed to 13 in 2019 — the quarterback threw for 3,586 yards with 30 scores and seven picks while also rushing for five scores as well. But with the Tar Heels still finding themselves as a top-level program, Howell lost a bit of shine partially due to losses and partially by design.

For as good as Howell was in the 2020 campaign, the Tar Heels offense relied most heavily on their rushing attack. But now that both Javonte Williams and Michael Carter are heading to the NFL, it figures that UNC will now rely more consistently on Howell to shoulder the load on that side of the ball.

Through two seasons, Howell has more than proven to be capable of slinging it all over the yard with great aplomb and making some noise with his legs as well. Now set to be the focal point of an offense on a team that’s getting more talented by the year, he should be in line to put himself and North Carolina in the national spotlight.