The North Carolina Tar Heels were extremely lucky to have elite quarterback production over the past five seasons.
Sam Howell started at UNC from 2019-2021, breaking 27 school records in the process. Drake Maye started for North Carolina in both 2022 and 2023, playing himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation each year, plus leading the Tar Heels to hot starts and high rankings each year.
The Washington Commanders took Howell in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he is now playing for the Seattle Seahawks. The New England Patriots took Maye third overall this year, but he is backing up Jacoby Brissett.
On Sunday, Sept. 15 after the Patriots and Seahawks played each other, Howell and Maye exchanged jerseys in an always-popular postgame tradition.
Howell initially started his career as Carson Wentz’ backup, then beat out Jacoby Brissett as the starter for 2023. Poor play led to Howell’s benching, though, and eventual trade to Seattle for a fresh start.
https://twitter.com/mikekadlick/status/1835413597687554528
Ironically enough, Maye is now the backup to Brissett in New England. Maye started out training camp rough, then improved drastically and – after the preseason – had people wondering if he beat out Brissett for the Patriots’ starting job.
It’s always fun watching a pair of former Tar Heels play at the next level. Imagine how cool it would’ve been if Maye and Howell started.
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