By R.L. Bynum
After only playing in the season finale of his rookie season, the Washington Commanders are giving Sam Howell a chance to show his talent on the field this season. One of his former UNC targets, wide receiver Josh Downs, one of four rookie alums, has a shot at starting for the Indianapolis Colts.
Of the 22 Tar Heels in NFL training camps, Howell is one of four expected to start and would take control of the offense for a franchise in transition in many ways. The team has a new owner, as well as a new offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy, who came over from Kansas City.
“I think, at this point, I have total command of the offense,” Howell, who broke multiple records at UNC, told commanders.com. “I studied a lot this summer and tried to get really comfortable with the system, obviously because it’s new, and just tying my feet into the concepts that we’re running.”
The 32 UNC alums in NFL camps are up from 28 at the start of camp last season.
Veteran running back Giovani Bernard retired after getting limited playing time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his 10th season. Veteran defensive tackle Robert Quinn is a free agent after Chicago traded him midseason, and he finished last season with the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Eight other Tar Heels who have at least gone to NFL camps previously are free agents (see list at the bottom).
Javonte Williams, who tore his right ACL and LCL four games into last season after running for 1,219 yards in his rookie NFL season, is expected to start for the Denver Broncos under new coach Sean Payton after a long recovery period.
“It was hard at first … but each week my confidence got bigger and bigger,’’ Williams, picked in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, told ESPN. “Now that I’m back on the field, I think this is the highest that [my confidence] has ever been.’’
Williams isn’t sure if he’ll play in any exhibition games.
Two Tar Heels who changed teams in the offseason are likely starters: linebacker Cole Holcomb, who moved from the Washington Commanders to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and wide receiver Mack Hollins, who went from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Atlanta Falcons.
Holcomb couldn’t participate in any offseason drills while recovering from December foot surgery but was ready to go at training camp after signing a three-year, $18-million deal in March.
“It felt good getting back in the swing of things,” he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It’s been a while. It felt awesome to be out there and playing ball again.”
While Downs isn’t penciled in as a starter, he has a chance to be in the lineup for the Colts’ season opener with impressive training camp and preseason performances.
Downs, Indianapolis’ third-round pick in the NFL Draft, was sidelined during OTAs with a knee injury but was 100% as camp began.
“As far as the transition from college to here, it’s not as bad,” Downs said. “It’s much faster, of course, so I’ve just got to play faster. I wouldn’t say it’s too overwhelming for me.
“The coverages are different, they disguise a lot more, they run a lot of different variations. So I got to really learn more of that. But otherwise, I’d say my dad, he’s prepared me a lot for this,” said Downs, whose father Gary Downs is the running backs coach at East Tennessee State. “I played football since I was six years old. So I have a pretty good feel for the game. So now I’m just adjusting to the new level.”
The other three rookie alums all have shots at playing time.
Asim Richards is listed as second-string left guard with the Dallas Cowboys. Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green and Jacksonville Jaguars nose tackle Raymond Vohasek have a chance to be second string.
Veteran New Orleans offensive lineman James Hurst started all 14 Saints games last season but is listed on depth charts as second-string left tackle behind Taylor Penning at the start of camp. Penning missed most of his rookie year last season, tearing a ligament in a foot in September.
Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky started five games for the Pittsburgh Steelers but lost his job to Kenny Pickett and enters training camp as the backup to the former Pitt star.
“When things go how they go during the season last year and you’re pushed into a new role, you have some personal feelings you’ve got to set aside,” Trubisky said. “You just embrace the role to help the team for the common good. I want this team to win. I want to help all the guys be as successful as they can.”
Others listed on depth charts as second string are New Orleans Saints fullback Jake Bargas, Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown, New York Jets running back Michael Carter, Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, New York Giants left guard Joshua Ezeudu, Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart Jr. and New York Jets middle linebacker Chazz Surratt.
Carter is confident after putting in the work in the offseason.
“It is always about trying to take it to the next level,” Carter told newyorkjets.com. “And I came in looking a little bit different this year. I actually came in a bit slimmer this year. … Everything is about endurance in the NFL. Who can run the longest and who can last the longest.”
There are reports, though, that the Jets may sign running back Dalvin Cook, which would reduce Carter’s role.
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox is listed as the third string weakside linebacker.
The Houston Texans placed right tackle Charlie Heck, who started three games last season, on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list with an undisclosed injury, and he’s listed as third string.
UNC alums who probably will have to battle to make rosters are Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kyler McMichael (listed as fifth string), San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dazz Newsome (fourth string), Atlanta Falcons linebacker Andre Smith (fourth string).
Former UNC guard Arthur Smith returns for his third season as the Atlanta Falcons coach.
Two other former Carolina players are assistant coaches, with Ronald Curry the quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints and Dre Bly the Detroit Lions’ quarterbacks coach.
Clyde Christensen was an NFL assistant coach for 26 years, last season as the Tampa Bay Bucs’ quarterbacks coach, but joined the UNC staff in the offseason as an offensive analyst.
Rundown of Tar Heels in NFL camps
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
Season statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Wild-card round: Texans 30, Steelers 6 — 1 assist on kickoff coverage; 18 special-teams snaps (72%)
Divisional round — 3 p.m. Sunday at New England, ESPN, ABC
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Reserve wide receiver
Season statistics — 17 games, 7 starts, 23 catches, 220 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Wild-card round: Bills 27, Jaguars 24 — Not active for the game
The Jaguars’ season ended with the loss.
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 14 games, 5 starts, 92 carries, 331 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 33 catches on 39 targets, 267 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 18: Rams 37, Cardinals 20 — Started; 7 carries, 18 yards (2.6 average, 5 longest); 3 catches on 3 targets, 21 yards (7.0 average, 11 longest); 29 offensive snaps (53%), 1 special-teams snap (4%)
Arizona finished fourth in the NFC West at 3–13.
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string kickoff returner; third-string running back
Season statistics — 3 games, 17 carries, 47 yards (5 longest); 3 catches on 4 targets, 11 yards (3.7 average; 11 longest); 1 assist on punt coverage
Week 18: Vikings 16, Packers 3 — 10 carries, 23 yards (2.3 average; 5 longest); 3 catches on 4 targets, 11 yards (3.7 average; 11 longest); 29 offensive snaps (43%), 6 special-teams snaps (26%)
Minnesota finished third in the NFC North at 9–8.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rush, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Week 18: Texans 38, Colts 30 — Started; 1 carry, -5 yards; 4 catches on 4 targets, 61 yards (15.3 average, 30 longest); 1 punt return, 13 yards; 41 offensive snaps (63%), 3 special-teams snaps (8%)
Indianapolis finished third in the AFC South at 8–9.
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 16 games, 15 starts, 94 tackles, 65 assists, 7 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 18: Jaguars 41, Titans 7 — Started; 3 tackles, 5 assists; 59 defensive snaps (97%)
Tennessee finished fourth in the AFC South at 3–14.
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starter
Season statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 124 carries, 545 yards (54 longest), 4.4 average, 4 touchdowns; 32 catches, 192 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Wild-card round: Patriots 16, Chargers 3— 1 carry, -1 yards, 2 offensive snaps (3%)
The Chargers’ season ended with the loss.
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Backup right tackle behind Luke Goedeke
Season statistics — 18 games, 1 tackle; 701 offensive snaps, 642 special-teams snaps
Week 18: Bucs 16, Panthers 14 — 2 offensive snaps (3%), 5 special-teams snaps (23%)
Tampa Bay finished tied for first in the NFC South at 8–9 but didn’t make the playoffs.
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 18: Steelers 26, Ravens 24 — Played off the bench
Wild-card weekend — 8 p.m. Monday vs. Houston, ABC, ESPN
Sam Howell, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); didn’t play in regular season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Wild-card round: 49ers 23, Eagles 19 — Not active for the game
Philadelphia’s season ended with the loss
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 32 tackles, 9 assists, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles for losses; 1 interception
Week 18: Falcons 19, Saints 17 — Didn’t play (ankle injury)
Atlanta finished tie for first in the NFC South at 8–9 but didn’t make the playoffs.
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 24 | 5–10, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2023–24
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 interception (0 return yards), 1 assist on kickoff coverage
Wild-card round: Texans 30, Steelers 6 — Not active for the game
Divisional round — 3 p.m. Sunday at New England, ESPN, ABC
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Joshua Dobbs
Season statistics — 17 games, 17 starts, 354 of 492, 4,494 (72 longest), 71.9%, 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 47 sacks (201 yards in losses), 113.5 rating; 103 carries, 450 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 3 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Wild-card round: Patriots 16, Chargers 3— Started; 17 of 29, 268 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 5 sacks (33 yards in losses), 86.6 passer rating; 10 carries, 66 yards (37 longest); 64 offensive snaps (100%)
Divisional round — 3 p.m. Sunday vs. Houston, ABC/ESPN
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Week 18: Falcons 19, Saints 17 — Rreported tackle-eligible twice; 56 offensive snaps (82%), 4 special-teams snaps (14%)
New Orleans finished fourth in the NFC South at 6–11.
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yard (9 longest)
Wild-card round: Bills 27, Jaguars 24 — Didn’t play
Divisional round — 4:30 Saturday at Denver, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 11 games, 2 starts, 6 catches, 136 yards (38 longest), 3 touchdowns; 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 18: Steelers 26, Ravens 24 — 2 catches on 2 targets, 46 yards (38 longest), 1 touchdown
Baltimore finished second in the AFC North at 8–9.
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 25 | 5–10, 220 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Miles Sanders
Season statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 18: Giants 34, Cowboys 17 — Didn’t play
Dallas finished second in the NFC East at 7–9.
Finished season on IR
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart, quadriceps injury (season statistics: 9 games, 4 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists)
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen injury)
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New England linebacker Amari Gainer
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
Linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants
Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
Photo via commanders.com
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