Amid the 2023-2024 NFL season, many Tar Heels are showing off their skills in various forms. From leading the NFL in passing yards to completing diving catches on third-and-longs, former North Carolina football standouts are making their mark at the professional level.
Sam Howell
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UNC junior quarterback Sam Howell (7) prepares to execute a quarterback keep during the Tar Heels' football game against the N.C. State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC, on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. UNC lost 34-30.
With the most passing yards currently in the league, Howell is making strides after earning the starting quarterback position with the Washington Commanders, beating out Jacoby Brissett during training camp.
Despite a rough start at the beginning of the season — he was sacked by the Bills nine times in week three — Howell has thrown for over 1,000 yards combined in his last three games.
Against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Howell led the team in back-to-back scoring drives in a 29-26 defeat. He completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gibson to tie the game and, on the next drive, passed for 70 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown pass to former Tar Heel wide receiver Dyami Brown.
Josh Downs
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Junior wide receiver Josh Downs (11) drives the ball down the field during the fourth quarter of UNC's game against Wake Forest at Truist Field on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. UNC won 36-34 to clinch the 2022 Coastal Conference Championship.
Downs has tallied 43 receptions for 523 yards in his rookie season, making him second to Michael Pittman Jr. on the Colts roster. His ability to separate himself from the defense early on in the play and complete contested catches are just a few reasons why he has quickly risen in the depth chart for the Colts.