Mack Brown explains what makes Sam Howell so special

When Mack Brown returned to North Carolina, he needed a quarterback to lead his program. From his first day with the Tar Heels, that quarterback was Sam Howell.

Following two seasons of showing his mettle, Howell is ready to explode in his third year with Brown. Ahead of what could be their final season together, Brown joined ESPN to detail what makes Howell so special.

“He’s a gym-rat,” Brown said of Howell. “His parents are athletes, his Dad’s a coach. He’s over here more than I am. 

“I said the other night, if they chose me or Sam to go to the game, I’d send him. He’s more important than I am, and can run this team. He’s smart, he’s tough, he’s the hardest worker on the team – he gets it.”

In the past, Brown has coached great quarterbacks. During his time at Texas, Vince Young and Colt McCoy each had tremendous success. At North Carolina, Brown is seeing Howell become a premier star in the sport.

‘I believe Sam Howell is the best QB in the country’

Evidently, Brown may not even be the leader of the Sam Howell fan club. Last week, Rece Davis of ESPN’s College Gameday issued a major statement regarding the Tar Heels quarterback.

“I believe Sam Howell, as I sit here in late August, is the best quarterback in the country,” Davis said on the Packer and Durham show. “And if you’re going to make a run at Clemson, the giant, and if you’re going to make a run at breaking into that College Football Playoff tier, having the best quarterback is a great place to start.”

Davis and Brown are believers in Howell, and the North Carolina quarterback can continue to turn heads with his play this season. For Howell’s squad, it all begins against Virginia Tech this Friday.

Mack Brown fired up

Moreover, Howell’s head coach can’t wait for Friday night. While some coaches would opt to play their games in front of their home crowd, Brown loves to go on the road and rip the hearts out of opposing fans. 

Before North Carolina’s visit to Virginia Tech, Brown mentions that it’s a fantastic place to play, and he’s going to have some fun.

“I’m gonna have fun Friday night. Virginia Tech’s a wonderful place to play,” said Brown. “I always get a smile on my face when people say you’re going on the road, it’s really difficult.

“I love going on the road to a place where fans are passionate, love their team. There’s no better place to open up than Virginia Tech. Those are great fans that love their team, love college football. I think they’ll see a great game.”

The atmosphere in Blacksburg is going to be electric. When Brown’s team takes the field Friday night, Sam Howell’s road to glory begins.