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.
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Rundown of Tar Heels in NFL camps
Marcus Allen, Minnesota Vikings cornerback
Age 22 | 6–1, 197 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–25
Roster situation — Third string right cornerback
2025 statistics (UNC) —12 games, 29 tackles, 7 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 0.5 of a sack, 8 passes defended
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Austin Blaske, Los Angeles Rams center
Age 24 | 6–5, 310 | rookie season | UNC 2024–25
Roster situation — Third-string center
2025 statistics (UNC) —9 games
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Kansas City, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:35 Sept. 10 vs. San Francisco in East Melbourne, Australia, Netflix
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 26 | 5–11, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — First-string fullback
2025 statistics —13 games, 17 carries, 787 yards (20 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 5 special-teams assists
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 26 | 6–0, 195 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string left wide receiver
2025 statistics (Jacksonville) — 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)
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Miami
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 at Philadelphia, Fox
Michael Carter, Tennessee Titans running back
Age 27 | 5–8, 201 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
2025 statistics (Arizona) — 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
Preseason opener — 9 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New York Jets, CBS
Ty Chandler, New Orleans Saints running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back; fourth-string kick returner
2025 statistics (Minnesota) — 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
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Thaddeus Dixon, New York Giants cornerback
Age 24 | 6–0, 195 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2025
Roster situation — On season-ending injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles during rookie minicamp in May
2025 statistics (UNC) —7 games, 13 tackles, 6 assists, 2 tackles for losses, 6 passes defended
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 24 | 5–9, 171 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
2025 statistics — 16 games, 11 starts, 58 catches, 566 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 2 rush, -2 yards; 7 punt returns, 68 yards; 2 tackles
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 at New England
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Baltimore, CBS
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants tackle/guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 310 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Third-string left tackle
2025 statistics — Missed season with a severe calf injury suffered during training camp (played 17 games in 2024)
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 25 vs. Minnesota
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 vs. Dallas, NBC
Tomon Fox, Los Angeles Rams linebacker
Age 28 | 6–3, 260 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2016–21
Roster situation — Third-string right outside linebacker
2025 statistics (Giants) —9 games, 5 tackles
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at Kansas City, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:35 Sept. 10 vs. San Francisco in East Melbourne, Australia, Netflix
Amari Gainer, New England Patriots linebacker
Age 26 | 6–3, 240 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Fourth-string left inside linebacker
2025 statistics (Las Vegas) —17 games, 3 tackles, 3 assists, 2 solo tackles
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 23 | 6–2, 235 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting weakside linebacker
2025 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
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 23 | 6–0, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 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
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at Houston
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Charlie Heck, Miami Dolphins offensive lineman
Age 29 | 6–8, 311 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Second-string right tackle
2025 statistics (Tampa Bay)— 18 games, 1 tackle, 701 offensive snaps, 642 special-teams snaps
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 14 at Washington
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 at Los Angeles Raiders, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 29 | 6–1, 240 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
2025 statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Green Bay, NFL Network
Season opener —1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Atlanta, Fox
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 32 | 6–4, 221 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting right wide receiver
2025 statistics — 15 games, 47 catches, 550 yards, 12.0 average, 54 longest, 2 touchdowns
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Sam Howell, Dallas Cowboys 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 2025 when with Philadelphia — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Seattle, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 at New York Giants, NBC
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 29 | 5–10, 191 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 12 games, 38 tackles, 11 assists, 1 interception
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 14 vs. Denver
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Pittsburgh, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 25 | 5–10, 195 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Second-string nickelback
2025 statistics — 2 games, 3 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 interception, 1 assist on kickoff coverage
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Willie Lampkin, Philadelphia Eagles guard/center
Age 24 | 5–11, 290 | second NFL season | UNC 2023–24
Roster situation — Third-string center
2025 statistics (Eagles) —Didn’t play; went on injured reserve in late August
Preseason opener — 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at Baltimore
Season opener — 4:25 Sept. 13 vs. Washington, Fox
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 23 | 6–4, 225 | third NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —Starting quarterback
2025 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)
Preseason opener — 7:30 Aug. 13 vs. Indianapolis
Season opener — 8:30 Sept. 9 at Seattle, NBC
Bryson Nesbit, Minnesota Vikings tight end
Age 23 | 6–5, 228 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–24
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
2025 statistics — Spent season on practice squad
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 25 | 6–4, 307 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
2025 statistics — 15 games, 4 starts, 359 offensive snaps, 53 special-teams snaps
Preseason opener — 4 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Jacksonville
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Detroit, Fox
Jahvaree Ritzie, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle
Age 23 | 6–4, 294 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fourth-string defensive tackle
2025 statistics (New England) —Spent season on practice squad
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Kaimon Rucker, Baltimore Ravens linebacker
Age 24 | 6–2, 265 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–24
Roster situation — Third-string right outside linebacker
2025 statistics — Spent season on practice squad
reseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Indianapolis, CBS
M.J. Stewart, Houston Texans safety
Age 30 | 5–11, 205 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Third-string free safety
2025 statistics — 9 games, no statistics
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo, CBS
Chazz Surratt, Seattle Seahawks linebacker
Age 29 | 6–2, 233 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string weakside linebacker
2025 statistics — 11 games, 4 tackles
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 14 vs. Dallas, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 9 vs. New England, NBC
Mitch Trubisky, Tennessee Titans quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Cam Ward
2025 statistics (Buffalo) — 4 games, 25 of 35, 313 yards (37 longest), 4 touchdowns, 1 2-point conversion completion; 9 carries, 6 yards (9 longest)
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at San Francisco, NFL Network
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 vs. New Your Jets, CBS
Smith Vilbert, Minnesota Vikings defensive end
Age 25 | 6–6, 282 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2025
Roster situation — Third-string defensive end
2025 statistics (UNC) —12 games, 11 tackles, 11 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack, 2 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries
reseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at New York Giants
Season opener — 4:15 Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–1, 198 | third NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Starting right wide receiver
2025 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
Preseason opener — 1 p.m. Aug. 15 vs. Philadelphia
Season opener — 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Indianapolis, CBS
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 26 | 5–10, 220 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
2025 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
Preseason opener — 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Seattle, NFL Network
Season opener — 8:20 Sept. 13 at New York Giants, NBC
Photo via commanders.com
