With a knack for studying tape and a flair for big moments, Howell was a program-changer at North Carolina. Washington is betting he'll be the same in D.C.
John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
Those traits helped enable Howell to go from becoming North Carolina's first true freshman starting quarterback to being named the ACC's rookie of the year. His 38 touchdown passes set an FBS record for a freshman. He helped elevate the Tar Heels almost immediately before leaving after three years as the school's record holder in 27 different categories, including passing yards , passing touchdowns and career passing efficiency .
Howell has exhibited the same traits with Washington that helped make him a true freshman starter at North Carolina, which is why Commanders coaches believe he'll be a success in the NFL. his locker on Sept. 27, casually chatting with a media member. Moments later, he was having a conversation with backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, whose locker was next to his. Next, someone from the equipment room wandered over for a brief exchange.
It's part of why Howell is comfortable in tense situations. In the last two minutes of the half and regulation this season, he has thrown for a league-high 375 yards with three touchdowns to one interception. Washington has scored 34 points in those situations, including a tying touchdown on the final play of regulation Sunday. The 23-year-old Howell said in the huddle his job is to,"Just try to calm the storm.
"We were like, 'Yep, that's what they're running,'" Duke said."He had a knack for it, but a lot of that is from a lot of work.""He was always in the building," Mack Brown said."He has no hobbies. He's a football junkie, a gym rat. Before he had his current girlfriend, it was Valentine's Day and I said, 'You got a date? Doing anything? He said, 'Yeah, I've got a date with Madden.
"We went to town on learning the offense," said Longo, now at Wisconsin."We set up a schedule to meet and he didn't miss a minute. He pounded the film and he'd come in every day and have a list of questions and have an agenda. He's just incredible from a want-to standpoint. His talent was ahead in the spring. Everything else was by the summer."
At one point, Howell was going to also play baseball in college, a plan he abandoned after finding football success his freshman year. "Never had a lesson, but he's so competitive," Duke said."The average guy can't stay focused. [Sam] competes on every shot. Every shot. It's because he's mentally tough; it doesn't matter what sport.
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