The San Antonio Commanders have made a big announcement today, naming Sam Howell as the official starting quarterback for the team. Howell, a highly-touted freshman from the University of North Carolina, is expected to bring a dynamic presence to the team’s offense.
Howell was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and was ranked as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the 2019 class by 247Sports. He was a two-time all-state selection in North Carolina and led his high school team to a state championship in 2018. He was also named the MVP of the state championship game.
At UNC, Howell started all 12 games as a freshman and threw for 3,641 yards and 38 touchdowns. He set school records for passing yards and touchdowns by a freshman and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year. He also earned All-ACC honors and was named a Freshman All-American by multiple outlets.
The Commanders are hoping that Howell can bring some of that success to the team. The Commanders have struggled on offense in their first two seasons, ranking near the bottom of the league in total yards and points scored. With Howell at the helm, they are hoping to turn things around and become more competitive in the Alliance of American Football.
Howell will have plenty of weapons to work with on offense, including running back Kenneth Farrow II and wide receivers Mekale McKay and Alonzo Moore. He will also have the benefit of playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the league, which should give him plenty of time to make plays.
The Commanders are confident that Howell can be the missing piece to their puzzle and help them reach their goal of making the playoffs this season. With Howell under center, the Commanders could be a force to be reckoned with in the AAF.