Sam Howell's first three seasons at North Carolina were dominant, passing for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns each season. Weight: 221 pounds "I want them to really know how good of a leader I was at North Carolina, and how every single one of those guys on my team would fight for me. The UNC QB finished the season with career lows in passing yards (3,056), adjusted yards per attempt (9.0), and passing touchdowns (24). Weight: 217 pounds At 21, Howell is one of the youngest quarterbacks in the draft. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and is the recipient of many records for his team including the most passing yards of his career 10,283, a total of 109 touchdowns, 92 touchdown passes, and 38 single-season touchdown passes. Set the North Carolina record for total yards with 17,036 in high school The North Carolina quarterback showcased arm strength and accuracy on multiple occasions. Howell has used the pre-draft process to help repair some of his draft stock. He has impressive arm talent, mobility, ability to create outside of structure, and the competitive toughness you love to see in your QB. 0:05. While his last season was disappointing compared to expectations, Howells scouting report shows that hes still very much a player in this 2022 NFL Draft quarterback class. . The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Willing to stand in the pocket and take a shot to deliver the ball downfield to his intended target Started 12 games as a true sophomore, completing 237 of 348 attempts (68.1%) for 3586 yards and 30 TDs with seven INTs while adding 92 carries for 146 yards and five scores on the ground Events such as the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and bench press are always the focus of the Combine, but the early afternoon before the start of those events gives scouts the first chance to take its official measurements of each athlete. Meanwhile, Mack Brown had returned for his second tenure at North Carolina. 6-1 , 220lb (185cm, 99kg) Draft: 5th round, 144th overall of the 2022 NFL draft by the Washington Commanders. And his name was surging up draft boards ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Howell as his No. The upward trajectory continued in his junior campaign, with 1,594 rushing yards and 24 scores. Copyright: ESPN Sports Media Ltd. All rights reserved. When he decides to tuck the ball and run, Howell is effective at picking up yardage with his legs. Wingspan: 75 5/8 inches, Height: 6-foot In a league that selects players, specifically quarterbacks, based on physical tools, Howell still managed to last until the 144th overall pick in an overall weak quarterback draft. By necessity, Howell was forced into a more mobile role, powering his way to 828 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Sign up for the Vikings Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. So are his intangibles, according to Breer. Once Howell found his comfort level as a college quarterback, he opened up his game to devastating effect. With another productive season, he took his career total to 13,415 passing yards, the second-most in state history. This year, hes developed vision as a runner and used his physicality to become a constant threat on the ground. 1 Pick, The Case for Bryce Young To Be the No. Howell does a good job reading the coverage pre-snap, but he isnt asked to make any challenging reads post-snap, nor does he utilize NFL-style progressions. 218. 3 pro-style QB in the country For instance, Walt Bell, who had led Howells recruitment, was no longer in Tallahassee. He often fails to read the entire field, locking onto one target and failing to progress beyond there. His lack of ideal height (5-foot-9) makes him as much of an outlier as Pickett's hand size. He first made his debut with the Tar Heel while standing against South Carolina. A post shared by Sam Howell (@sam7howell) Howell shared that Jack Hibbs, the senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Church in Chino Hills, California, baptized him, and thanked Hibbs for being instrumental in his walk with Jesus. Furthermore, Howell can weaponize the plus elements of his arm talent when tasked with working outside of the pocket. While pocket management is difficult to be objective about given his subpar offensive line play, there are some areas where Howell could help himself. 144 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. The gap between he and the other passers was evident. However, that means a team can pick up a high . And only 42 total wide receivers with 8.5-inch or smaller hands have caught passes in the same span. The same kind of issue surrounded Joe Burrow, who just happens to be a starting in the Super Bowl this Sunday, but Renner says it's different. Per Eric Edholm of Yahoo, Picketts hand size is 8 1/4 inches, which would tie the smallest ever mentioned at the combine. Howell often struggled with his pocket awareness and anticipation to start his career, locking onto one target as he has been asked to execute a rather simple offensive system that benefits from having a lot of first-read throws and RPO options instead of making him read the entire field and go through his progressions. As the night was winding down, it turned into a 'how late can you throw the go route' contest to see who had the strongest arm and Willis stood out. He then flipped to the Tar Heels just days before the first signing period. After making projections for NFL Draft 2022, North Carolina Tar Heels record-breaker, Sam Howell dropped out of the first three rounds. Sam Howell was selected in the 5th round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. When the Washington Commanders selected Howell, the choice was universally praised around the league. Sam Howell Hand Size. 40-yard dash: DNP Bench . He starts as a true freshman and leads UNC to the Orange Bowl as a sophomore. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet. The former North Carolina QB looked like a potentially transcendent prospect in his first season in Chapel Hill. This year, one of the main focuses has been on Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell's long wait for a place in the NFL finally ended Saturday. He and Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett were probably the most accurate with their downfield attempts. Weight: 207 pounds He saw increases in both his completion percentage and yards per attempt. Out of the top quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft, Sam Howell is by far the most frustrating.On one hand, you see the arm strength, improvisational ability, and how he made some laser throws down . In the backfield were Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, two 1,000-yard rushers. Which quarterback has the smallest hands? Feb 02, 2022 at 08:59 AM. Concerns about his game stem from holding onto the football too long and that is not an aspect visible in a combine setting. So, perhaps hand size is a bit overrated. He will need a coaching staff willing to give him time to learn and grow. The accolades rolled in as Howell was named the ACC Offensive and Rookie Player of the Year and earned FWAA Freshman All-American honors. Naturally, national attention followed. Howell started the season as a leading contender for the QB1 of the 2022 NFL Draft class. Has a sturdy frame and can be a physical runner when asked to take off, willing to go through defenders to pick up extra yardage The assumption was that Howell would affirm his commitment to the Seminoles and join Florida State in the spring. Howell was listed as a four-star quarterback by 247 Sports and ranked as the No. You see that arm talent on this throw against Florida State where Howell takes the snap and delivers a strike to his receiver in the end zone for the score 40+ yards out, lofting it into the air in-between two defenders and allowing his big-bodied receiver to go up an make a play on the football. MOBILE, Ala. Two years ago, Sam Howell became a top quarterback prospect. It also uses College Football Reference basic statistics from . Picketts age and hand size will presumably be criticized leading up to the NFL draft. He has a lower ceiling than some of his contemporaries, such as Willis and Ridder. Sam Howell, North Carolina: . The Sporting News looks at Howell's meteoric rise as a freshman, his struggles as a junior and what he can offer to NFL teams. Is it a big deal long term? Howell's best performance of his freshman season may have come in a defeat. Howell: Slide 'stressful,' but glad to land in D.C. When the California native finally takes the field for talent evaluators, it will be just him at his Pro Day. Desmond Ridder's hands measured at 10 inches at the combine. Get the fastest scores, stats, news, LIVE . This made him win another honor of Second-team All-ACC honors in the process. NFL Combine measurements 2022: Hand size, height, weight & more for Kenny Pickett, other notables, Why Pitt QB's measurements at combine shouldn't affect NFL Draft stock. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. He has the ability to zip an out route and lay touch on the deep ball. For reference, Daunte Culpepper was consistently criticized for having small hands. Contributor Login MockDraftable is developed in the open by Marcus Armstrong, on GitHub.Feel free to submit any issues you find with the . Made possible with the generous, community-minded support of American Public University Systems. #7 Sam Howell North Carolina 6'1 225 (5-7 round league grade) Here on the QB draw, the defensive tackle gets in Howells face almost immediately as the lineman releases early, nearly taking Howell down for the sack. Per Eric Edholm of Yahoo, Pickett's hand size is 8 1/4 inches, which would tie the smallest ever mentioned at the combine. As you noticed in the clip above, Howell is extremely dense for his size, being able to absorb contact and bounce off tackles like you would see from a running back. NFL Draft experts claim the 2022 class possesses one of the weakest crops of quarterbacks in recent history. From a weight standpoint, Howell is well-built, a factor that makes him tough to bring down as he can absorb hits effectively while still standing on his feet. Adding Phil Longo to his coaching staff made the Tar Heels an appealing destination for a young QB. "So they came to me and asked if I was fine if it became a bigger part of the offense.. and that the Steelers aren't always going to show their hand. -. Come Get Me: Jordan Addison Sends Clear Message to Steelers, Steelers Draft Profile: Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson Would Love a Reunion with George Pickens, Antonio Brown Set to Become Part of AFL Teams Ownership Group, Steelers Draft Profile: Wisconsin LB Nick Herbig Looking to Follow Mentor T.J. Watts Path to NFL. That meant taking Howell out of the pocket and his element. QB Sam Howell's scouting report includes a record-setting start at North Carolina -- can he become a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft? Here against the Aggies in the Orange Bowl last season, we see another impressive run by Howell on 4th-and-short in the empty formation where he takes the snap and runs the QB draw up the middle weaving his way through traffic to pick up the first down and even bounces off a tackle attempt by the safety, eventually getting wrapped up by another defender and brought down by multiple Aggies after a successful conversion. Gambling problem? He began his career with 2 touchdowns and 245 passing yards in a win. Expect Howell to go somewhere in the middle of Round One to early Round Two where he can sit initially and play look to start later on or in Year Two, Depot Draft Grade: 8.6 Year One Quality Starter, Games Watched: at Florida St. (2020), vs Texas A&M (2020), at Virginia Tech (2021), vs Wake Forest (2021), vs South Carolina (2021), at Notre Dame (2021). For example, the No. and do not in any way, reflect the 21st century, modern-day policies of the University. On his way to Las Vegas, the North Carolina QB has broken program records while setting college football alight. Consensus four-star prospect and No. The announcement probably won't come . Now Mayfield was selected with the first overall pick by Cleveland in the 2018 NFL Draft, there have been plenty of ups-and-downs since then as he broke the rookie passing TD record but is often seeing as a high-floor/low ceiling option at QB. It is the first step in the process of evaluating these players and their 2022 NFL Draft stock. For example, the No. Picketts arm strength is adequate but its not a strength. Sam is an avid . Howell took Sun Valley to the North Carolina 3AA Regional Final in 2017 as a junior. His follow-up campaign proved it wasn't a fluke. If you like what you see on this site, we now have an ad-free option available for a donation of $25 per year, and you can enjoy the site entirely ad-free! Height: 6-foot He added 59 yards on the ground, including a 32-yard . Sam Howell. North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) reacts following his touchdown against Wake Forest during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. 1 overall favorite to likely Day 2 pick in 2022 NFL Draft, TSN's Vinnie Iyer has him going No. Playing in just three seasons at the college level, Howell accumlated 92 passing touchdowns(3rd in ACC history) and most ever by a player in three or fewer seasons. But as one recent Super Bowl-bound quarterback showed, hand size isn't everything. As Commanders eye the future, Sam Howell makes a case to be part of it. Here against the demon Deacons, Howell takes the snap and fires the ball over the middle of the field, airing it over Downss head when he has a step of separation on the coverage defender. Additionally, Longo was part of the Ole Miss team trying to recruit Howell. The combination of Longo and Howell, alongside some dynamic playmakers, made the North Carolina offense one of the most explosive in the nation. While the offense does limit Howells growth and ability to get a true feel for who Howell is as a prospect, there are positives to his game. All Rights Reserved. Against Georgia Tech, he set program records for passing attempts (51), completions (33), and passing yardage (371). These four QBs will at least be in the discussion for QB1 in the 2022 NFL Draft. His name was on the lips of draft experts entering 2021. Below is an aggregation of the most notable measurements by position at the NFL Combine, according to Pro Football Focus. However, there were significant changes at FSU following a dismal season. The trajectory on Howell's deep passes is impressive. School: North Carolina. Additionally, Howell demonstrates the ability to throw from multiple arm angles. Possesses incredible presence as well as wherewithal, delivers a catchable ball, and puts touch on throws when necessary. . It is important to note that before diving into the criticism. Although its been by necessity rather than design, Howell has developed as a threat in the ground game. In no way affiliated with or endorsed by the Pittsburgh Steelers or NFL. This gunslinger, off-platform throwing style has been a popular trait of QBs who have recently transitioned to the pros, and Howell has the same ability to keep the play alive when it breaks down. Don't get too carried away about Howell's reported status as QB1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington. Sam Howell NFL Draft 2022: Scouting Report for North Carolina QB | News, Scores, Highlights . Buy Tar Heels Tickets. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Sam Howell scores 12-yard Rushing TD vs. NC State. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Once projected as the top quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft class, North Carolina's record-breaking Sam Howell dropped out of the first three rounds. Weight: 226 pounds North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) reacts after scoring a touchdown on an 18-yard run in the first quarter to give the Tar Heels a 7-3 lead over Wake Forest on . NOTE: In the text of this post . Sam Howell is a true sophomore from North Carolina who has shocked since he won the job his freshman year. Sam Howell. Copyright 2019-2023. Positives: Strong-armed passer who is patient in the pocket and remains poised under the rush. He comes across a little more reserved than others in the group. Wingspan: 77 3/8 in, Height: 6-foot-3 0:27. If he were to have declared for the 2021 draft, Pickett likely would have been a mid-round selection. Sam Howell 2020 North Carolina Highlights || HDBe sure to like and subscribe to Prince Highlights After achieving a highly publicized recruiting personality, Howell appeared to play for the University of North Carolina and flipped his original choice of Florida State University. The North Carolina quarterback is able to hang tough in the pocket, take a hit, and rebound. At 23 years old, Pickett would be one of the oldest prospects at his position and the late rise could give some teams caution. Sam Howell leaves Chapel Hill as North Carolina's all-time most prolific quarterback, with career records in yards passing (10,283) and total offense (11,292. Perhaps it's an indication of the direction the league is headed. Seeing as GM Kevin Colbert has already been on-campus to view Howell up close this fall and considering Mike Tomlins comments about wanting a QB with mobility that can execute Matt Canadas offensive system, Howell appears to be a logical fit based off those remarks as well as what he put on tape. Howell is an especially interesting case. Coming off a slightly disappointing senior season. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/here-are-the-two-quarterbacks-vikings-gm-rick-spielman-went-to-see-this-week-howell-pickett/, 2023 3-round NFL mock draft: Tyler Forness' 3.0, Vikings draft prospects: 8 players that impressed at the combine on Thursday, Vikings 2023 7-round mock draft: Matt Anderson's 5.0, 7 moves the Vikings need to make to get under the salary cap, Vikings draft prospects: QB/WR/TE interviews at NFL Scouting Combine, Vikings draft prospects: 6 players that impressed at the combine on Friday, Vikings 'sneaky-interesting' landing spot for star quarterback in 2023 NFL draft, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. It seemed as if Howell was living up to the hype. "For me, I just wanted to play early. Howell was also invited to the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Al. The hometown kid he went to high school just outside Charlotte, N.C., about two hours from Chapel Hill . Bailey Zappe. As a freshman in 2019, he . Will have balls sail on him over the head of intended receiver at times when pressured or skip passes at the feet of his intended target, Junior prospect from Indian Trail, N.C. Player Popularity Index (PPI) ranks PlayerProfiler page views over the last 30 days. Access Sam Howell's Dynasty ADP and Lifetime Value Rating. Sam Howell is an American personality who is committed to playing football in the position of quarterback. Carson Strong's hands measured at 9 and 1/4 inches at the combine. We use ads to fund this site and continue to bring you premium Steelers content. Weight: 213 pounds Howell picked up where he left off in high school making an immediate impact on the field in Chapel Hill as a talented passer. There will be no apples to apples comparison to other top prospects. We may not see a signal-caller go No. Download all Sam Howell advanced stats and metrics, See Showed a lot of improvement in going through his reads, accuracy, and decision making this season compared to 2020, Lacks ideal height you look for in a traditional signal caller (+), Steelers Grades vs. Raiders: Cam Heyward Heating Up; Kazee, Spillane Get Bigger Roles (+), Analysis: One Big Thing Thats Missing from Steelers Run Defense, Steelers Grades vs. Started all 13 games at quarterback as a true freshman, completing 259 of 422 passes (61.4%) for 3641 yards and 38 TDs with seven INTs while adding 94 carries for 35 yards (counting sacks) and a score on the ground ranks PlayerProfiler page views over the last 30 days. He currently sits as the QB4 on our Consensus Top 300 Big Board, but theres little to split this group. section: | slug: 2022-nfl-scouting-combine-malik-willis-desmond-ridder-sam-howell-among-quarterback-winners-and-losers | sport: football | route: article_single_special | Arm Length: 31 5/8 inches As the NFL Combine is underway, Sporting News will be tracking measurements of top prospects, according to SN's Vinnie Iyer, this week. Additionally, if you'd like to donate above and beyond the ad-free option, you can donate via PayPal as well. All Rights Reserved. He was honored with the Military Bowl MVP for his performance, where he had a two-yard touchdown reception on a trick play. UNC lost 38-21 to South Carolina on Thursday in what may have been Sam Howell's last collegiate game. I'd do anything for my team, Howell said. He needs to showcase greater awareness in the pocket. He has potential in a vertical offense, though you shouldnt put Howell in a system with a lot of designed quarterback runs. MockDraftable, 2011-2022. A recent Steelers rumor suggests Pittsburgh would rather have quarterback Sam Howell over Kenny Pickett in the 2022 NFL Draft. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Those traits are not necessarily present at the NFL combine. Many players like Howell are yet to be selected through NFL Draft 2022 and it would be interesting to see which one would be ordered out of the board. A three-star recruit out of New Jersey, Pickett has started for the Panthers for four seasons, including four starts as a true freshman in 2017. Whats on Tap for Thursday at NFL Combine? 1) Sam Howell, North Carolina. Six of those came in an awe-inspiring performance against Wake Forest, where Howell strapped the team to his back late in the game. January 8, 2023 6:31 pm ET. 0:00. And I thought that North Carolina, they had a really good team, and they just needed a quarterback to go in there and run the show.". Negatives: Tends to backpedal into the pocket and needs work on his drops. Arm Length: 32 7/8 inches Combine - While Sam Howell didn't test at the Combine, most measurements aren't important for QBs. 9 1/12'' 74 7/8. Both of these quarterbacks have 9 1/8 inch hands, and it was the rookie who came out on top in the . They have similar size, builds, and arms, although Howell has more juice as a scrambler. Much like at Sun Valley, there was no sophomore slump for Howell in 2020. Displays good ball placement down the field on some throws, dropping it into the bucket or into tight windows Heres an example of Howell extending the play with his legs outside of the pocket where he immediately gets pressure coming off the edge and up the middle, flushing him out where he stiff-arms #21 Marvin Wilson as he runs to the sideline and gets off the pass while getting shoved out of bounds to Newsome who makes the diving catch near the line to gain. Projecting the top NFL rookies in 10 stat areas: What to expect from Pickett, Hall, Gardner, others, Washington Commanders NFL draft picks 2022: Analysis for every selection. I've used Senior Bowl data for the current crop and unofficial information on the players that were not in attendance, like Matt Corral. At best - Drew Brees (with mobility) At worst - Baker Mayfield ASHBURN, VA - JUNE 14: Sam Howell #14 of the Washington Commanders participates in a drill during the organized team activity at INOVA Sports Performance Center on June 14, 2022 in Ashburn, Virginia. He ranks fifth in total touchdowns (111), eighth in total offense (11,292 yards), fifth in . Many have questioned Howells leadership ability due to his quiet demeanor and somewhat loose feeling at times in the pocket.