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THE SITUATION
After a stressful final few weeks of the recruiting process, Rivals100 quarterback Sam Howell has announced he will be signing with North Carolina. The Monroe (N.C.) Sun Valley star had been committed to Florida State since April, but once former Seminoles offensive coordinator Walt Bell left to become head coach at UMass everything was once again up in the air.
New North Carolina head coach Mack Brown hired an offensive coordinator in Phil Longo that Howell and his family liked, while Florida State failed to get an offensive coordinator in place to take Bell’s position.
Rivals.com spoke to Howell and he explained why he flipped to North Carolina, what he sees in coach Longo and more.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
“This is want my family and I thought was best,” Howell said. “I learned about coach Longo as a person and what he’s going to do offensively when I met with him on Sunday. I really liked him and I’m excited to play for him. I think he’s a really good quarterbacks coach.
“I think the team is really talented, even though their record didn't show it last year,” he said. “I think they have a lot of really good players. They're loaded at receiver. They had a good defense last year even though they didn't play too well in a few games. Offensively, they actually have three really good running backs. I know they have some offensive linemen coming back. They have a really good roster.
“Seeing what they're doing with the offensive line in this recruiting class is great,” Howell said. “It all starts with the offensive line. You have to bring in those big guys. Without them, I can't do anything and the receivers can't do anything.
“I think we're going to change the recruiting scene in North Carolina,” he said. “Lately, NC State has kind of taken over the state as far as recruiting goes, but I think now that Mack Brown is back, him and his new staff will take over the state.”
RIVALS REACTION
Howell flipping to North Carolina was not unexpected. The writing had been on the wall ever since Bell, Howell’s lead recruiter, left for UMass. Howell brings a ton of talent to the quarterback room in Chapel Hill. He has a strong arm, is very accurate, and gets the ball out of his hand quickly. Howell is also more mobile than people give him credit for. Expect him to create some big plays on RPOs and use his feet pick up big chunks of yards.
