Sam Howell Bio
Samuel Duke Howell is an American professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, setting school records for most touchdown passes in a single season (38) as well as career passing yards (10,283) and touchdown passes (92). Howell was selected by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft, starting the final game of the season. In 2023, he threw for 3,900 yards while leading the league in interceptions and sacks. Howell was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2024, and then to the Minnesota Vikings in April 2025 before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in August 2025.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Duke Howell was born on September 16, 2000, in Waynesville, North Carolina, and grew up in Union County, North Carolina. He attended Sun Valley High School, where he excelled in football, throwing for 13,415 yards and 145 touchdowns while rushing for 3,621 yards and 60 touchdowns. Howell was the second-ranked recruit in North Carolina and initially committed to play college football at Florida State University. However, he changed his commitment to the University of North Carolina after the departure of FSU offensive coordinator Walt Bell and the hiring of Mack Brown as UNC’s head coach.
Path to American Football
Howell enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in January 2019. He became the first true freshman to win the starting quarterback position for the Tar Heels. In his debut, he passed for 245 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening victory over South Carolina. Howell was named the ACC Rookie of the Year after completing 259 of 422 passes for 3,641 yards with 38 touchdowns, a freshman FBS record. His impressive performance earned him third-team All-ACC honors and the 2019 Military Bowl MVP award.
Sam Howell Career
Early Career (2022)
Despite being projected as an early pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Howell was selected in the fifth round (144th overall) by the Washington Commanders. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 6, 2022. Howell made his first career start in Week 18 of the 2022 season, completing 11-of-19 passes for 169 yards and recording a passing and rushing touchdown in a win over the Dallas Cowboys. He remained the starting quarterback for the 2023 season, beating out Jacoby Brissett in training camp.
Breakthrough (2023)
In the 2023 season, Howell led the NFL in passing yards with over 3,900 yards, but also faced challenges, leading the league in interceptions and sacks. His performance included a notable game where he threw four interceptions and was sacked nine times in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. Despite these struggles, Howell finished the regular season starting all 17 games, with 3,946 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.
Notable Works and Milestones
Howell’s signature work includes his record-setting college career at North Carolina, where he threw for 92 touchdown passes and 10,283 yards. He earned multiple accolades, including ACC Rookie of the Year and second-team All-ACC honors.
Sam Howell Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Howell has received several nominations, including being named to watchlists for prestigious awards such as the Maxwell, Manning, and O’Brien awards during his college years.
Sam Howell Awards Won
Howell has won notable awards, including the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2019 and second-team All-ACC in 2020. He also earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2019 for his outstanding performances.
Sam Howell Family
Information about Howell’s family is limited. He is part Korean; his American grandfather met his Korean grandmother while stationed in Korea in 1960 after the Korean War.
Personal Life
Sam Howell has a unique dietary preference, as he has never eaten beef or seafood, with chicken being the only meat in his diet. He is also known to be good friends with former teammate Drake Maye, who succeeded him as the starting quarterback at the University of North Carolina.
