The Washington Commanders may have found their future starting quarterback in Sam Howell. Howell currently leads the league in passing yards in his first season as the full-time starting quarterback. Washington struck gold with their 2022 fifth-round pick.
The Washington Commanders QB had a great collegiate career with North Carolina
Howell originally committed to play for the Florida State Seminoles, but he later changed his commitment to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2019 season with head coach Mack Brown.
Howell won the starting job in his freshman season. He went 259/422 for 3,641 yards, 61.4% completion percentage, 8.6 yards per attempt, 38 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He was named the ACC Rookie of the Year, 3rd Team All-ACC, ACC All-Academic Team, FWAA Freshman All-American, and the 2019 Military Bowl MVP.
Howell had a great sophomore season. He went 237/348 for 3,586 yards, 68.1% completion percentage, 10.3 yards per attempt, 30 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Howell was part of the 2nd-Team All-ACC, a Manning Award Finalist, a Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist, and a Maxwell Award Semifinalist.
Howell received a massive amount of hype entering his junior season as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and potentially a top player in the 2022 draft. Howell took a step back in every major passing category in his last season with North Carolina.
He went 217/347 for 3,056 yards, 62.5% completion percentage, 8.8 yards per attempt, 24 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also had 828 rushing yards on 183 carries and 11 rushing touchdowns. Howell finished his tenure with the most career passing touchdowns and passing yards in North Carolina history. Howell declared for the 2022 draft.
Howell fell in the 2022 draft
The Washington Commanders drafted Howell in the 5th round, 144th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Howell fell in the draft because he struggled in decision-making in his final season, he’s on the smaller side at 6 feet, doesn’t have elite athleticism, and his release was slow, causing him to miss passes.
Howell started in only one game during his rookie season
Howell served as the third-stringer behind Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke for the majority of his rookie season. Howell got his first career start in the season-finale against the Dallas Cowboys. He went 11/19 for 169 yards and threw one touchdown and one interception. He also had 35 rushing yards on five carries and one touchdown in their 26-6 victory.
Howell won the starting job in his second season
Howell won the starting job over free agent acquisition Jacoby Brissett near the end of training camp.
Howell is having an impressive second season. He is 264/397 for 2,783 yards, 66.5% completion percentage, 7 yards per attempt, 17 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He leads the league in completions, attempts, passing yards and is top-5 in passing touchdowns. He also has 174 rushing yards on 31 carries and one rushing touchdown with a 4-6 record.
If Washington had a choice to make after the conclusion of the 2023 season, they should stick with Sam Howell as their starting QB for the 2024 season and beyond.
He is very talented and will only get better. If only he had a decent offensive line, and they weren’t in a rebuild.
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